r\ 


BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS.  By  NOR- 
RHYS  JEPHSOX  O'CoxoR.  Bo-ton:  The  Houghton 
Alifflin  Co.  1922. 

Reviewed  by  HUGH    LorriNG 

IN  this  little  book   Mr.  O'Conor,  who  is  a  Gaelic 
student    of     considerable     erudition,     has     made    a 

strictly  literal  translation.  For  this  great  praise  is 
due  him.  What  little  awkwardness  comes  therefrom 
is  more  than  made  up  for  by  the  value  jf  his  faithful 
adherence  to  the  letter  of  the  folk  tales — to  their  bibli- 
cal, Homeric  essentiality  and  realism.  There  is  but 
one  reason  that  renders  this  fidelity  perhaps  regrettable 
and  that  is  its  effect  upon  the  adaptability  of  the  book 
to  child  reading.  Many  of  the  "Battles  and  Enchant- 
ments" are  distinctly  bloodthirsty.  But  not  more  so 
than  the  national  fairy  stories  of  almost  any  land. 
And  we  arc  h/no  means  sure  that  this  book  is  intended 
solely  or  primarilv  for  children. 

•<d  example  of   what  can   be  done,  even  with 

in  a  strictly  literal   translation   fr-.Mr.  the  Gaelic 

is  to  he  found  in  the  "Song  of  tin-  Sword  of  Tethra." 

izas   arc   recited   to  O^ma,   the  chieftain,   by 

the  sword    itself,   which   speaks   to   him    "with  a  sound 

like  metal  humming  through  the 

The  slaying  of  Balor  by  his  grand -or,  Ltigh  is  a 
grim  epic  of  true  Hellenic  rin::.  (n  reading  it,  though 
it  has  no  aS8O(  iation  of  plot  with  either  worth  men- 
tioning, one  is  irresistibly  reminded  of  the  exploits  of 
Medea  and  the  adventures  ot  I'l; 

'1  here  is  a  continuity  through  all  the  "pisodes  which 
gives  a  unity  to  the  book.  The  ninth  story,  that  of  the 


"Dagda  and  His  Harp,"  has  a  very  pleasing  plot,  in- 
troducing one  trick  in  magic  at  all  events  that  has 
not  been  overworked  by  the  fairy-tale  tellers  of  other 
nations. 

But  it  is  in  "The  Passing  of  the  Dedatmans"  (epi- 
sode number  thirteen)  that  surely  no  reader,  young  or 
old,  will  escape  a  thrill. 

On  account  of  the  treacherous  murder  of  Ith,  a 
Milesian  adventurer  from  Britain.  Eriu  (or  Erin)  is 
threatened  with  invasion.  The  Dedannans,  who  have 
not  tried  to  excuse  the  evil  deed  committed  in  their 
land,  seek  to  avoid  combat  in  an  unworthy  cause  with 
an  overwhelming  enemy.  But  seeing  war  inevitable, 
they  agree  among  themselves  that  in  case  of  defeat 
they  will  endeavor  to  obtain  in  the  treaty  of  peace 
permission  for  their  race  to  remain  forever  in  its  native 
land. 

The  battle,  accompanied  by  a  contest  of  magicians 
from  both  sides,  takes  place.  The  day  of  terrific 
slaughter,  in  which  three  of  Tara's  kings  are  slain, 
comes  to  an  end  without  definite  victory  for  either 
army.  The  leaderless  Dedannans,  however,  seeing  no 
hope  of  success  for  their  arms,  propose  the  following 
day  their  treaty  of  peace,  which  is  acceded  to  b;»  the 
enemy. 

Then  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  host  of  the  vic- 
torious foreigners  the  Dedannan  magicians  exhort  the 
mountains  to  open  their  sides  and  the  lakes  to  part 
asunder.  And  the  Dedannans,  singing,  pass  into  the 
earth  and  beneath  the  wattrs  of  their  native  isle,  there 
to  live  forever,  a  spirit  people,  friendly  to  the  conquer- 
ing Milesians  who  had  granted  their  last  request. 

The  drama  of  the  wild  story  grips  one  through 
eVery  line.  And  its  climax  is  as  fitting  a  conclusion 
to  the  book  as  the  ultimate  fate  of  the  Dedannans  is 
to  a  great  people's  history. 

In  Sir  Thomas  Malory's  "Morte  d'Arthur"  the 
carefully  compiled  list  of  names  and  countries  would 
seem  to  imply  some  authentic  historic  intent  on  the 
narrator's  part — despite  all  the  magic  and  impossible 
romance.  So,  too,  in  "Battles  and  Enchantments"- 
which  the  author  tells  us  in  the  foreword  is  confined 
to  the  myth  history  of  the  Tuatha  De  Dannan,  or 
Fairies.  Risking  the  imputation  of  being  crassly  prac- 


problems  of  my  early  reviewing  day 
with  a  play  of  my  own  just  back  fron 
the  publisher's,  after  correspondence  i 
volving  some  six  months  and  only  ter 
ininated  by  the  outbreak  of  war,  I  wa 
very  much  impressed  with  the  fact  tua 
things  must  be  very  good  indeed  to  b 
pi:bllshed — and  here  was  a  play  too  tenu 
j  ous  to  hold  one  either  as  drama  or  a 
,.  poetry.  I  believe  the  literary  edito 
never  ran  my  weak  attempt  to  comlon 
it!  And  again  in  the  present  voluin 
O'Conor  prints  "A  Masque  of  Flowers, 
such  a  thing  as  would  no  doubt  be  pret 
ty  ncted  out  of  doors,  but  which  does  no 
deserve  the  attention  of  the  reader  o 
books.  Like  the  other  play,  it  is  tenu 
ous,  stilted  and  boring. 

However,  while  containing  much  tha 
is  well  worth  skipping,  the  present  vol 
ume  contains  also  matter  of  profound  in 
terest  to  the  reader  with  Celtic  leanings 
Mr.  O'Conor's  rewriting  of  the  story  o 
Aillll  and  Etatn,  the  big  thing  of  the 
book,  is  indeed  a  big  thing.  It  has  both 
interest  and  poetry — and  an  Intriguing 
flavor  of  the  past.  Ailill,  the  poet,  finds 
a  bride  for  his  preoccupied  brother 
King  Eochaid.  The  situation  is  jus 
enough  like  the  Paolo  and  Francesca  epl 
socle  to  make  the  Celtic  treatment  stand 
out  as  something  typical.  Fairy  folk  in 
tervene  In  behalf  of  the  king's  honor. 
And  the  shorter  poems  in  the  "tVlii. 
past"  group  have  their  charm,  "In  the 
Monastery,"  for  Instance,  taken  from  an 
•Old  Irish  Poem": 
"Cold  is  the  wind  tonight,  and  rough  the 

sea, 
Too  rough  for  eren  the  daring  Dane  to 

find 

A  landing  place  upon  the  frozen  lea. 
Cold  is  the  wind. 

'The  blast  sweeps  round  the  chapel  from 

behind, 

Making  the  altar-light  flare  fitfully, 
While   I   must   kneel  and   pray  with  trou- 
bled mind. 

"Patrick    and    Bridget,    I    have      prayed 

to    ye! 

The  night  is  over,  and  my  task  resigned 
I's  own  dwelling  shel- 
ter me, 

<'o)d   is  the  wind." 

1  One  very  attractive  thing  about  the 
book  la  the  naive  and  surprising  way 
in  which  the  poet  Is  always  convincing 
you  of  his  Celticism,  such  a  poem  as 
Response  of  •  unfor- 

tunately a  little  too  long  to  quote  "in 
a  vision,  the  night  before  the  outbreak 
of  war.  tin)  I'oet  walked  by  a  fairy 
•1  found  then:  the  King-  of  the 
Fairies,  or  Tn  .nan,  as  they 

'••d   in  Irish   story,    with   a  num- 

dlowers.      What    b< 

written;    but   the   vision  was   fleeting"— 
brings  the    past  very  near 


BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 
RETOLD  FROM  EARLY  GAELIC  LITERATURE 


"The  Songs  of  the  Celtic  Past," 
by  Norreys  Jephson  O'Conor  [John 
Lane  company],  is  this  author's  third 
volume  on  Gaelic  themes.  Mr.  O'Conor 
is  a  young  American  who  has  spent 
many  of  his  summers  beside  the  Black- 
water  in  Ireland,  and  many  of  his 
study  hours  with  the  Gaelic  professors 
of  Harvard  college.  We  have,  there- 
fore, in  his  volumes,  real  poetry  with 
the  limitations  of  a  divided  allegiance, 
and  last,  but  not  least,  the  Harvard  at- 
mosphere. His  poems  show  us  the 
Ireland  of  aristocratic  culture,  not  the 
real  Ireland  of  the  scholars  and  the 
saints;  there  are  echoes  after  the  pagar 

scribes  and  the  monastic  poets  of  Berry 
that  for  all  their  charm  remain  merely 
echoes.  Mr.  O'Conor  has  a  gentle  muse, 
well  bred,  and  of  seemly  charm.  He 
has  wrapped  a  bardic  cloak  around  her 
that  hides  as  much  as  it  suggests  her 
native  outlines. 


Retold  From 
(Uirty  GWlic*  literature 


J^orreys  ^ejphsoa  OXfonor 

Albthor of "rhtftiirjf  Bride;1  "Saity  0/fhe  Celtic J»«st,"6t<l 


'houdhton  JUiff 


COPYRIGHT,  1922,  BY  NORREYS  J EPHSON  O'CONOR 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


Cfc  »ibtt«ftt  Dress 

CAMBRIDGE  .  MASSACHUSETTS 
PRINTED  IN  THE  U.S.A. 


TO 

MOIRA 


2061343 


He  told  them  stories,  sang  them  magic  songs 
Of  lovers  old  and  chivalrous  romances, 

Till  every  thought  of  haunting  modern  wrongs 
Was  trodden  out  by  vague  and  fairy  chances. 

He  gave  them  all  the  witchery  that  belongs 
To  laughter's  bright  dominion  and  to  fancy's. 

GAMALIEL  BRADFORD:  A  Prophet  of  Joy. 


FOREWORD 

HE  aim  of  this  book  is  to  retell  that 
part  of  the  myth-history  of  early 
Ireland  which  deals  with  the  Tu- 
atha  De  Dannan,  or  Fairies.  The  au- 
thor has  tried  to  preserve  the  temper 
of  old  Irish  writing  in  both  thought 
and  form,  to  retain  as  much  of  the  original  beauty 
of  phrase  and  imagery  as  is  consistent  with  coherent 
narrative.  To  this  end,  while  avoiding  arbitrary 
changes,  he  has,  nevertheless,  used  sources  freely. 
Though  he  has  relied  upon  the  work  of  Celtic  scholars, 
notably  the  finely  cadenced  translation  by  the  late 
Professor  Whitley  Stokes  of  "The  Second  Battle 
of  Moytura"  (Revue  Celtique,  xn,  57  ff.),  he  has  also 
frequently  retained  constructions  in  the  original 
Gaelic.  For  the  account  of  the  Milesian  invasion, 
the  author  is  indebted  to  Professor  Macalister 
and  Professor  MacNeill's  edition  of  The  Leabhar 
Gabhala^  the  Recension  of  Michedl  O'Clerigh,  Part  I, 
and  to  Mr.  R.  I.  Best's  translation  from  d'Arbois  de 
Jubainville,  The  Irish  Mythological  Cycle;  for  the 


x  FOREWORD, 

story  of  Ethne,  to  O'Donovan's  edition  of  The  Annals 
of  the  Four  Masters,  and  for  material  in  the  early  part 
of  the  book,  to  O' Curry's  The  Manuscript  Materials 
of  Irish  History. 

The  frontispiece,  based  on  early  Irish  decoration, 
is  by  Miss  Grace  Barron,  to  whom  the  author  makes 
grateful  acknowledgment. 


CONTENTS 

I.  THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS  3 

II.  THE  BIRTH  or  BRES  16 

III.  THE  UNJUST  KING  23 

IV.  THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  3^ 
V.  THE  HEALING  OF  NUADA  49 

VI.  THE  MARVELOUS  Cow  54 

VII.  THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  64 

VIII.  THE  NEW  CHAMPION  83 

IX.  PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE  92 

X.  THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA  100 

XI.  THE  DAGDA  AND  HIS  HARP  122 

XII.  THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  128 

XIII.  THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS  142 

PRONOUNCING  GLOSSARY  165 

The  decorations  were  made  by  Grace  A.  Barren 


BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 


The  lovely  land  of  Ireland 

Arises  from  the  sea; 
Cloud-veiled  the  heather  of  her  hills, 

Dark-toned  her  greenery. 

The  lovely  land  of  Ireland 
Is  the  Country  of  the  Young; 

About  the  fullness  of  her  age 
The  green  of  youth  is  flung. 

Across  the  hills  of  Ireland, 

Over  each  starlit  plain, 
With  battered  arms  of  long  ago, 

Glide  figures  of  the  slain. 

"Down  through  great  branches,  stretching 

Above  a  ruined  wall 
Which  sheltered  scribes  of  Clonmacnoise, 

The  broken  moonbeams  fall. 

In  stained,  thumbed  vellum  pages 

Are  tales  of  distant  years, 
And  songs  that  nameless  poets  sang 

Of  huntsmen,  hounds,  and  spears. 

0  lovely  land  of  Ireland, 

Be  this  your  gift  to  men: 
Bring  back  the  beauty  of  the  world. 

And  give  us  dreams  again! 


BATTLES 
AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

i 

THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS 

Out  of  the  northern  fogs  they  came, 

The  race  with  golden  hair. 
Were  they  gods  or  men,  whose  beauty  shone 

Like  stars  in  frosty  air? 

ONG  years  ago,  a  great  fleet  set  out 
from  the  northern  isles  of  the  world. 
On  board  the  ships  were  the  Tuatha 
De  Dannan,  or  Dedannans,  People  of  the 
God  Whose  Mother  Was  Dana.  They 
had  outgrown  their  own  country  and 
were  seeking  new  lands,  leaving  behind  them  their 
four  cities,  Falias,  Findias,  Murias,  and  Gorias, 
where  they  had  learned  not  only  the  arts  of  peace  and 
the  science  of  war,  but  magic,  in  which  "  they  sur- 
passed the  sages  of  the  arts  of  heathendom."  Out  of 
each  city  they  carried  a  treasure  of  exceptional  virtue. 
From  Falias  they  took  the  Stone  of  Fal,  which  was 
used  at  the  crowning  of  kings  and  was  wont  to  roar 


4  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

whenever  the  rightful  king  sat  upon  it.  This  stone  is 
said  to  have  been  found  later  in  Scotland,  where,  as 
the  Stone  of  Scone,  it  was  borne  off  to  London  by  Ed- 
ward I  of  England,  and  to  this  day  it  forms  the  seat 
of  the  Coronation  Chair  of  the  English  kings.  From 
the  city  of  Findias  the  Dedannans  took  an  irresistible 
sword;  from  Gorias,  a  spear  so  powerful  that  who- 
ever held  it  in  his  hand  could  not  be  overthrown;  and, 
out  of  Murias,  a  cauldron,  known  as  "  the  Dagda's, 
from  which  no  company  ever  went  unthankful." 

The  Dedannans  steered  south  and  landed  on  the 
northern  coast  of  Ireland,  or  Eriu.  At  that  time  the 
country  was  occupied  by  a  people  called  Fir  Bolg, 
Men  of  the  Bag,  so  named  from  their  custom  of 
marching  to  battle  headed  by  bagpipers.  The  fisher- 
folk  of  the  coast  did  not  offer  resistance  to  the  De- 
dannans, who  had  burned  their  ships  in  order  that 
they  might  never  be  able  to  retreat;  but  when  the 
country  folk  saw  the  smoke  from  the  burning  vessels, 
they  sent  word  to  the  Fir  Bolg  king,  at  Tara,  that  a 
race  of  strangers  had  descended  from  the  clouds. 

The  king  at  once  sent  for  one  of  his  most  trusted 
warriors. 

"Go  thou,  O  Sreng,"  he  said.  "Learn  all  thou 
canst  of  the  strangers  and  of  their  purpose  in  coming 
to  Eriu." 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS    5 

Hastily  arming  himself,  the  messenger  hurried  off. 
When  he  reached  the  north,  he  found  that  the  invad- 
ers had  marched  southwest.  Following  them,  he 
came  upon  their  encampment  on  Mag  Rein,  Level 
Plain.  The  Dedannan  sentinels  reported  his  ap- 
proach to  their  king,  who  sent  one  of  his  most  distin- 
guished chieftains  to  parley  with  Sreng. 

The  two  men  drew  near  each  other  cautiously. 
Fifteen  paces  apart,  they  halted,  looking  over  the 
rims  of  their  shields,  each  man  ready  to  resist  a  hos- 
tile move,  but  curious  about  the  other.  The  Dedan- 
nan, like  all  his  people,  was  tall,  with  fair  hair  and 
blue  eyes,  and  Sreng  was  short  and  dark.  They  were 
both  bareheaded.  Their  dress  and  arms  were  simi- 
lar: each  wore  sandals,  a  kilt,  and  a  short  cloak;  each 
had  two  spears,  a  sword,  and  a  shield;  the  spears  of 
the  Dedannan  were  light,  sharply  pointed,  and  suit- 
able for  casting,  while  those  of  the  Fir  Bolg  soldier 
were  heavy,  blunt,  and  more  suitable  for  thrusting. 
The  two  men  stood  admiring  each  other's  strength 
and  suppleness. 

At  last  the  Dedannan  spoke,  and,  much  to  the  as- 
tonishment of  Sreng,  in  the  Gaelic  that  was  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Fir  Bolg. 

"O  Man  of  Eriu,  shall  it  be  peace?"  he  asked. 

"It  shall  be  peace,"  replied  Sreng,  lowering  his 


6  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

shield,  an  example  immediately  followed  by  the  De- 
dannan. 

"Of  what  people  art  thou,  O  Stranger,"  continued 
Sreng,  "  and  how  knowest  thou  the  speech  of  the  Fir 
Bolg?" 

"I  am  of  the  Dedannan  race,  from  the  northern 
isles  of  the  world,"  answered  the  other.  Then  he  told 
Sreng  how  the  Dedannans  had  left  their  four  cities,  of 
their  treasures,  and  of  the  magic  which  his  people  had 
learned.  He  explained,  too,  that  they  and  the  Fir 
Bolg  had  had  a  common  ancestor,  Gael,  which  ac- 
counted for  their  now  speaking  the  same  language. 
Each  warrior  boasted  of  the  prowess  of  his  own  race 
and  of  his  own  clan,  not  forgetting  his  personal  ex- 
ploits, until  the  two  men,  grown  friendly,  exchanged 
spears,  for  neither  had  seen  javelins  like  those  of  the 
other.  Then  Sreng  recalled  his  errand. 

"Why  are  ye  come  hither?  To  seize  our  land?" 

"My  king,"  answered  the  Dedannan,  "has  told  me 
to  say  to  the  inhabitants  of  Eriu  that  he  will  divide 
the  country  with  them.  He  has  no  desire  for  war." 

Sreng  controlled  his  anger  at  the  calm  proposal  of 
the  Dedannan. 

"I  shall  take  thy  message  to  King  MacErc,"  he 
said  proudly.  "  But  the  Fir  Bolg  do  not  give  up  their 
land  for  the  asking." 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS        7 

"If  it  be  war,  we  are  ready,"  haughtily  replied  the 
Dedannan. 

When  Sreng  returned  to  Tara,  the  High  King  sum- 
moned his  council.  The  spears  of  the  strange  chief- 
tain were  passed  about,  and,  although  the  councillors 
were  impressed  by  these  slender  weapons,  they  were 
not  frightened,  but  resolved  to  give  battle  to  the  in- 
vaders; therefore  a  herald  bearing  a  declaration  of 
war  was  despatched  immediately  to  the  Dedannan 
camp. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Dedannans  had  heard  an  ac- 
count of  the  fierce  appearance  of  Sreng,  and  had  ex- 
amined the  heavy  Fir  Bolg  spears;  consequently, 
when  the  messenger  arrived  from  Tara,  they  decided 
to  move  to  a  better  position  for  defense.  They  chose 
the  Plain  of  Moytura,  which  is  in  the  present  County 
Mayo,  near  the  village  of  Cong,  and  they  pitched 
camp  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  plain.  From  here  they 
could  see  easily  an  army  advancing  against  them, 
and  have  time  to  form  in  line  of  battle. 

The  King  of  the  Fir  Bolg,  gathering  every  avail- 
able fighting  man,  marched  to  the  Plain  of  Moytura, 
entering  it  at  the  western  end.  He  arrived  too  late  in 
the  day  to  offer  battle;  so  he  encamped. 

The  next  morning  the  Dedannan  king,  Nuada, 
who  wished,  if  possible,  to  take  possession  of  the  is- 


8  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

land  without  fighting,  sent  Corpre,  and  other  poets  of 
his  court,  to  the  King  of  the  Fir  Bolg,  offering  to  make 
peace  if  the  inhabitants  of  Eriu  would  give  the  De- 
dannans  a  quarter  of  the  island.  MacErc,  the  Fir 
Bolg  sovereign,  refused;  his  men  were  eager  for  con- 
flict, and  he  hoped  completely  to  crush  his  enemies. 

"If,  then,  thou  wilt  not  accept  our  terms  of  peace, 
O  King,"  said  Corpre,  "perchance  thou  wilt  agree 
that,  instead  of  a  general  battle,  there  shall  be  a  com- 
bat each  day  between  an  equal  number  of  chosen  war- 
riors from  either  army  until  one  side  or  the  other  can 
no  longer  continue  the  fighting." 

Corpre  had  been  told  to  make  this  suggestion,  not 
only  because  King  Nuada  counted  upon  saving  the 
lives  of  the  Dedannans,  but  because  he  hoped  that 
MacErc  would  use  the  best  soldiers  of  the  Fir  Bolg 
on  the  first  day.  Nuada  would  keep  his  hardiest  men 
in  reserve  until  the  veterans  of  his  opponents  were 
weary  with  fighting;  thus,  on  the  second  day,  his  own 
picked  men  would  have  the  advantage. 

"I  will  avoid  a  general  battle,"  agreed  the  King  of 
the  Fir  Bolg. 

After  arranging  with  MacErc  the  number  of  sol- 
diers who  were  to  fight  daily,  Corpre  and  his  compan- 
ions returned  to  King  Nuada,  who  was  well  pleased 
with  what  the  envoys  had  accomplished.  The  De- 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS        9 

dannan  sovereign  made  preparations  to  begin  the  bat- 
tle at  once.  The  Fir  Bolg  king  likewise  selected  his 
fighting  men,  and  he  chose  many  of  his  bravest  war- 
riors for  the  opening  conflict,  thus  completely  falling 
in  with  the  plan  of  his  adversary. 

"O  Warriors  of  Eriu,"  said  MacErc,  "well  do  I 
know  that  the  harvest  soon  will  await  you,  when  ye 
will  wish  to  lay  aside  your  swords  and  go  into  the 
fields;  therefore  I  have  faith  that  this  day  ye  will 
crush  the  enemy,  so  that  afterwards  our  final  victory 
will  be  easy.  May  the  blessing  of  the  gods  go  with 
you,  and  may  ye  prove  irresistible!" 

This  speech  was  greeted  with  cheering  and  with  the 
rattling  of  spears  against  shields.  At  the  head  of  the 
main   body  of  the  Fir  Bolg,   the  picked  warriors 
marched  proudly  towards  the  Dedannans.  That  day 
the  defenders  of  Eriu  would  give  an  account  of  them- 
selves which  would  remain  forever  famous.  To  meet 
them  came  the  chosen  troops  of  the  Dedannans,  lead- 
ing their  army.  The  opposing  ranks  halted,  and  the 
men  who  were  to  fight  came  on,  shouting  taunts: 
"The  Dedannans  have  the  weakness  of  women!" 
"The  Fir  Bolg  have  the  strength  of  children!" 
The  invaders  hurled  a  shower  of  javelins,  but  the 
advancing  Fir  Bolg  were  not  checked.   They  rushed 
on,  undaunted,  thrusting  with  their  spears.    When 


io  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

these  were  either  lost  or  hacked  to  pieces,  each  man 
drew  his  sword,  and  the  fighting  was  hand  to  hand. 
Up  and  down  swept  the  battle,  until  the  Dedannans 
were  routed  and  the  victors  withdrew  to  their  own 
end  of  the  plain.  From  the  Fir  Bolg  camp  that  eve- 
ning came  the  noise  of  carousing,  but  there  was  silence 
among  the  tents  of  the  Dedannans;  a  few  men  spoke 
in  low  voices,  complaining  that  King  Nuada  had  al- 
lowed them  to  be  overwhelmed.  The  Dedannan  king, 
having  first  summoned  his  leaders  and  found  that 
they  approved  his  strategy,  called  together  his  army. 

"Soldiers  of  the  Dedannans,  I  know  your  discon- 
tent. Great  is  my  sadness  that  ye  have  not  trusted 
me.  To  be  sure,  that  some  few  of  our  men  have  fallen, 
but  to-day  has  wearied  the  bravest  of  the  enemy,  and 
to-morrow  they  will  fall  before  your  swords  like  with- 
ered grass.  I  have  led  you  to  this  land,  and  our  ships 
are  destroyed;  never  can  we  retreat,  but  never  shall 
we  be  overthrown.  Strike  for  your  future  homes!" 

"We  have  faith,  O  Nuada!"  was  the  hoarse  cry 
that  rose  above  the  Dedannan  camp-fires. 

At  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  plain,  the  Fir  Bolg 
heard,  and  wondered  that  there  should  be  exultation 
among  the  defeated. 

Upon  the  morrow,  the  second  day  of  the  sixth 
week  of  summer,  the  fighting  was  fiercer  than  before, 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS       11 

and  the  prediction  of  King  Nuada  was  fulfilled:  the 
Dedannans  gained  a  hard-won  victory.  This  was  re- 
peated the  following  day. 

By  this  time  the  King  of  the  Fir  Bolg  saw  his  error 
in  using  his  best  men  first.  Nearly  all  his  troops  had 
now  been  engaged;  to-morrow  he  himself  would  lead 
the  remainder  in  a  final  effort.  The  king  made  a  last 
appeal  to  his  tired  army,  but  he  was  heard  without 
enthusiasm.  Hardly  a  man  was  unwounded;  all 
lacked  the  spirit  of  victory.  Quite  different  was  the 
attitude  in  the  Dedannan  camp,  where  King  Nuada, 
likewise,  was  preparing  to  lead  his  men. 

Although  the  weather  on  the  first  three  days  had 
been  warm,  the  sun  upon  the  fourth  day  was  hot,  and 
there  was  no  breeze.  Just  after  noon,  there  was  a  lull 
in  the  desperate  struggle;  the  heat  had  exhausted  the 
warriors.  Each  of  the  rival  kings  had  performed 
brave  deeds,  but,  despite  many  attempts,  they  had 
not  crossed  swords.  King  MacErc  rested  his  shield 
upon  the  ground  and  stood  leaning  upon  the  hilt  of 
his  sword.  Sreng,  who  was  acting  as  captain  of  the 
king's  bodyguard,  was  beside  him. 

"O  Sreng,  would  I  might  quench  my  thirst!  Then 
should  I  be  able  to  win  the  victory." 

"Go  into  the  forest,  O  King!  Not  far  off  is  a  spring 
where  thou  mayst  drink.  I  will  lead  a  new  attack 


12  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

upon  the  enemy;  then  thou  mayst  slip  unseen  across 
the  open  space  between  our  army  and  the  trees." 

"My  thanks,  O  Sreng,  and  my  blessing  upon 
thee!" 

The  captain  of  the  bodyguard  once  more  fell  upon 
the  Dedannans,  while  the  king,  after  choosing  five 
men  to  accompany  him,  moved  quietly  to  the  flank  of 
the  army  with  the  intention  of  reaching  the  woods. 

Unfortunately  for  MacErc,  King  Nuada  had  sta- 
tioned two  men  to  watch  lest  stragglers  of  the  Fir 
Bolg  should  try  to  gain  cover.  These  sentinels  saw 
MacErc  and  his  followers,  and  sent  word  to  Nuada 
that  a  leader,  whom  they  suspected  from  his  rich 
trappings  to  be  the  King  of  the  Fir  Bolg,  had  escaped 
into  the  forest. 

"Take  fifty  men  and  bring  him  to  me,  dead  or 
alive,"  commanded  the  Dedannan  sovereign. 

Beside  the  spring,  in  a  glade  far  from  the  clang  of 
swords  and  the  shouting  of  warriors,  MacErc  knelt  to 
drink.  The  only  sound  was  the  twitter  of  a  bird  which 
hopped  from  branch  to  branch  of  a  great  tree.  The 
king's  guard  dropped  their  weapons  upon  the  grass 
and  congratulated  one  another  that  their  departure 
had  been  unnoticed  by  the  enemy;  but,  even  as  Mac- 
Erc moistened  his  lips,  there  was  a  sudden  crackling 
of  twigs  and  the  whizz  of  a  javelin  which  pierced 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS       13 

the  head  of  the  stooping  king.  His  companions,  hast- 
ily seizing  their  swords,  were  too  bewildered  to  offer 
serious  resistance.  The  Dedannans  broke  through 
the  undergrowth  and  rained  blows  about  them.  The 
bodyguard  was  soon  slain,  and  the  victors,  with 
MacErc's  head  as  a  trophy,  marched  joyfully  back 
to  the  Plain  of  Moytura. 

Meanwhile  Sreng,  in  his  impetuous  onslaught,  had 
overcome  the  warriors  who  were  between  himself  and 
the  leader  of  the  enemy.  The  king  raised  his  shield 
to  ward  off  his  opponent's  attack,  but,  as  he  did  so, 
he  slipped  upon  the  parched  grass,  and  the  sword  of 
Sreng  cut  off  the  right  hand  of  Nuada.  The  Dedan- 
nans rushed  forward  and  closed  about  their  ruler, 
who  was  carried  to  the  rear.  Dismay  ran  through 
their  ranks,  but  at  that  moment  men  bearing  the 
head  of  MacErc  appeared  from  the  forest.  The  cour- 
age of  the  invaders  revived,  while  that  of  the  defend- 
ers, which  had  risen  swiftly  and  had  centered  about 
Sreng,  as  suddenly  collapsed.  Seeing  the  Fir  Bolg  de- 
moralized, their  new  leader  led  them  back  to  their 
camp,  and  the  Dedannans  made  no  effort  to  inter- 
fere. 

That  evening,  Sreng,  now  in  full  control  of  the  Fir 
Bolg  fortunes,  sent  word  to  King  Nuada,  proposing 
that  there  be  a  final  battle  the  next  day  between  thred 


i4  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

hundred  men  of  either  army.  The  Fir  Bolg  com- 
mander knew  that  not  many  of  his  soldiers  were  able 
to  fight,  and  that  even  these  were  downcast  because 
of  the  loss  of  their  king,  but  he  thought  that  firmness 
in  the  present  crisis  would  win  better  terms.  The 
desperate  plight  of  the  enemy  was  suspected  by 
Nuada,  who  was  desirous,  as  ever,  of  husbanding  the 
strength  of  his  own  people;  therefore  he  answered 
Sreng's  proposal  with  a  counter-offer.  If  the  Fir 
Bolg  would  surrender  their  royal  palace  at  Tara,  to- 
gether with  the  government  of  the  whole  island,  the 
Dedannans  would  allow  them  to  retire  to  an  exten- 
sive tract  of  land  bordering  the  western  ocean  and 
there  to  dwell  forever  in  peace.  Sreng  and  his  captains, 
though  realizing  that  they  were  vanquished,  took 
counsel.  At  last,  in  dejection,  they  accepted  Nuada's 
conditions,  and  the  Fir  Bolg  army  soon  dispersed  to 
their  homes,  whence  each  man  prepared  to  move  his 
family  and  household  possessions.  With  a  wailing  of 
bagpipes,  the  conquered  people  slowly  journeyed  to 
all  that  was  left  them  of  their  country,  and  their  re- 
tirement was  not  complete  until  the  end  of  a  year. 
They  dwelt  in  what  was  later  known  as  the  Province 
of  Connaught,  where  their  descendants,  small  dark 
men,  may  be  seen  to  this  day. 
The  conquerors  marched  to  Tara  and  made  ready 


THE  LANDING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS       15 

with  splendid  ceremony  to  crown  their  first  High 
King  of  Eriu.  Unhappily,  because  of  his  encoun- 
ter with  Sreng  in  the  Battle  of  Moytura,  Nuada 
could  not  hold  this  new  title,  for  it  was  a  rigid  custom 
among  the  Dedannans  that  no  blemished  man  might 
reign.  The  famous  leech,  Diancecht,  had  tried  to  re- 
store the  king's  severed  hand,  which  had  been  rescued 
from  the  field,  but  he  had  failed.  Then  he  had  cun- 
ningly contrived  a  hand  of  silver  with  movable 
joints.  By  the  aid  of  this,  Nuada  was  able  to  accom- 
plish the  ordinary  tasks  of  daily  life,  but  he  could  not 
use  a  sword.  Hence  it  was  impossible  for  him  to  per- 
form the  most  important  duty  of  a  king,  that  of  lead- 
ing an  army  in  battle.  As  Nuada  of  the  Silver  Hand 
he  was  honored  by  all  the  Dedannans,  even  though 
he  might  no  longer  reign  over  them.  The  council  of 
nobles,  accordingly,  was  forced  to  elect  a  new  king, 
and  they  chose  a  youth  named  Bres.  This  young 
man  was  of  such  striking  appearance  that  old  chroni- 
clers say  he  gave  his  name  to  every  beautiful  thing  in 
Eriu,  whether  plain  or  fortress  or  steed  or  man  or 
woman  —  they  were  all  compared  to  him;  each  was 
called  "a  Bres."  Nevertheless,  the  Dedannans  were 
soon  to  find  that  with  physical  perfection  is  not  al- 
ways joined  nobility  of  character,  and  they  were  des- 
tined to  regret  their  choice. 


II 

THE  BIRTH  OF  BRES 

Stronger  than  wind  on  a  treeless  hill 

That  overlooks  the  sea, 
Than  tug  of  tide  or  the  force  of  waves, 

Shall  Love,  the  Master,  be. 

NE  morning,  some  twenty  years  before  the 
Dedannans  left  the  northern  isles,  Eri 
of  the  Golden  Hair,  daughter  of  one 
of  their  chief  nobles,  sat  alone  in  a 
house  which  overlooked  the  ocean.  Her 
father  and  her  two  brothers  had  gone  early 
to  hunt  in  the  forest,  and  she  was  gazing 
idly  seaward.  As  she  looked,  there  was  a  sudden 
glint  in  the  distance,  and  she  saw  advancing  along 
the  sun-path,  borne  slowly  shoreward  by  the  stream 
of  the  wave,  a  vessel  of  silver.  When  the  coracle 
came  nearer,  Eri  was  able  to  distinguish  a  single  oc- 
cupant, evidently  steering  the  boat  towards  a  sandy 
beach  not  far  away. 

Since  the  Dedannans  were  from  early  youth  taught 
to  show  hospitality  to  strangers,  the  girl  went  to  wel- 
come the  newcomer,  whom  she  now  found  to  be  a 
young  man  of  fair  appearance,  richly  dressed.  He 


THE  BIRTH  OF  BRES  17 

wore  a  saffron  kilt,  a  white  linen  shirt,  and  a  red  man- 
tle trimmed  with  gold  and  fastened  by  a  golden 
brooch  in  which  was  set  a  precious  stone.  He  stood 
up,  as  the  bow  of  his  coracle  pushed  into  the  sand, 
and  lifted  from  the  bottom  of  the  boat  two  smooth- 
shafted  spears  that  had  points  of  white  bronze.  At 
his  side  hung  a  gold-hilted  sword  studded  with  gold 
and  inlaid  with  silver. 

"Hail,  O  Maiden!  In  whose  land  am  I?"  cour- 
teously asked  the  stranger. 

"In  that  of  the  Dedannans,  and,  if  thou  comest  in 
peace,  I  bid  thee  welcome  in  the  name  of  my  father," 
answered  Eri,  impressed  by  the  beauty  and  the  bear* 
ing  of  the  dark-browed  warrior. 

"I  am  come  in  peace,  and  seeking  refuge,"  he  said, 
stepping  ashore. 

"Thou  shalt  have  both,"  replied  Eri.  "Come  with 
me  to  my  father's  dwelling,  where  thou  mayst  find  re- 
freshment and  rest." 

After  dragging  the  coracle  out  of  reach  of  the  high- 
est rides,  the  young  man,  in  company  with  the 
maiden,  left  the  beach.  They  walked  to  the  house  in 
silence,  each  looking  narrowly  at  the  other,  and  with 
increasing  interest. 

When  En's  kinsmen  came  back  from  hunting,  they 
also  greeted  the  stranger  in  friendly  fashion,  asking 


1 8  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

him  his  lineage  and  whence  he  came.  He  explained 
that  he  had  left  his  country  after  a  violent  quarrel 
with  his  father,  a  king;  therefore  he  did  not  wish  to 
give  the  name  of  his  native  land,  lest,  if  inquiries 
were  made  abroad  concerning  him,  he  should  be  dis- 
covered and  forced  to  return.  Although  his  evasive 
answers  did  not  entirely  satisfy  the  Dedannan  noble- 
men, they  courteously  made  no  further  attempt  to 
question  him,  and  granted  him  protection.  His  com- 
panionable qualities,  especially  his  skill  in  the  chase, 
caused  his  hosts  to  overlook  the  fact  that  the  days  of 
his  sojourn  were  lengthening  into  weeks,  the  weeks 
into  months;  though  frequently  they  wondered  who 
their  guest  might  be,  they  respected  his  reticence,  and 
none  suggested  his  departure. 

During  this  period,  while  spring  deepened  to  sum- 
mer, Eri  and  the  youth  were  often  together  m  the  forest 
and  by  the  sea.  Gradually,  the  Dedannans'  distrust 
lessened,  and  when,  after  twelve  weeks  were  almost 
gone,  the  stranger  asked  if  he  might  marry  Eri,  her 
father  consented  with  scarcely  a  show  of  hesitation. 

About  two  months  after  the  marriage,  the  young 
man,  who  had  seemed  overjoyed  at  winning  the  hand 
of  the  maiden,  grew  restless  and  moody.  For  long 
hours  he  sat  rapt  in  thought,  his  eyes  fixed  on  the 
horizon.  Upon  hearing  his  wife's  voice,  he  would 


THE  BIRTH  OF  BRES  19 

brighten  and  assure  her  that  nothing  of  moment 
troubled  him;  then,  in  a  little  while,  he  would  be 
sunk  again  in  reverie.  One  day,  when  she  found  him 
thus,  he  said: 

"O  Eri,  the  time  has  come  for  me  to  return  to  my 
own  country.  These  many  months  I  have  accepted 
the  hospitality  of  the  Dedannans,  but  I  am  a  prince 
in  mine  own  land,  and  it  would  be  ill  done  to  remain 
forever  among  strangers.  By  now  my  quarrel  with 
my  father  will  be  forgotten,  and  he  will  rejoice  to  see 
me,  for  perhaps  he  has  imagined  me  drowned,  or  slain 
by  enemies." 

Without  speaking,  Eri  burst  into  tears.  He  tried  to 
comfort  her. 

"I  shall  not  forget  thee,  but  I  will  come  with  my 
companions  to  take  thee  as  a  royal  bride  to  my 
father's  court." 

Eri  ceased  weeping. 

"Wilt  thou  not  tell  me  whence  thou  art  come,  that 
I  may  think  of  thee  in  thine  own  land  while  thou  art 
gone?"  she  asked.  "Never  will  I  reveal  thy  secret  to 
any  of  my  kinsfolk." 

He  reflected  before  answering. 

"  I  am  Elotha,  son  of  Delbaeth,  a  king  of  the  Fomo- 
rians,  whose  country,  also  an  island,  is  south  of  this, 
close  to  the  island  of  Eriu." 


20          BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"O  Prince  of  the  Fomorians,  I  shall  await  thee." 

He  took  from  his  finger  a  gold  ring  of  skilled  work- 
manship and  put  it  upon  his  wife's  hand. 

"Take  this  ring  and  keep  it  until  I  come  again. 
Should  it  pass  from  thee,  it  must  be  the  possession 
only  of  one  whose  finger  it  will  fit." 

Thereupon  Eri  went  with  Elotha  while  he  told  her 
father  and  brothers  of  his  intended  departure  and 
made  ready  for  his  going.  Three  days  later  she  ac- 
companied him  to  the  beach,  where  she  watched  him 
launch  the  silver  coracle.  He  held  her  in  his  arms, 
and  whispered  reassuring  words  before  he  stepped 
aboard.  She  watched  the  boat  disappear,  glittering 
in  the  sun-path  as  it  had  come. 

Eri  knew  that  the  Fomorian  land  was  far  off,  and 
that  it  would  be  a  long  time  before  she  could  have 
news  of  Elotha;  but  she  was  gladdened  in  her  loneli- 
ness by  the  birth  of  a  son,  Bres.  However,  when 
months,  and  finally  a  year  passed,  and  there  was  no 
message  from  her  husband,  Eri  gave  up  the  hope  of 
hearing  from  him;  he  must,  she  thought,  have  per- 
ished during  a  storm  on  his  voyage  home.  She  stayed 
apart  from  friends  and  kindred,  devoting  her  love 
and  care  to  the  upbringing  of  her  child.  Faithfully 
she  kept  the  secret  of  Elotha's  nationality.  When- 
ever she  could,  she  sought  information  about  his  peo- 


THE  BIRTH  OF  BRES  21 

pie.  This  was  difficult  to  obtain,  for  the  Dedannans 
had  little  trade  with  the  Fomorians  and  never  found 
them  well-disposed.  At  last,  however,  Eri  learned, 
from  merchants  who  had  been  shipwrecked  on  the 
Fomorian  coast,  that  Elotha  had  regained  his  native 
land.  Try  as  she  would,  she  could  ascertain  nothing 
more.  To  her  former  grief  was  added  a  dignity  that 
verged  upon  haughtiness,  and  pride  caused  her  still 
to  keep  her  secret,  save  from  her  father  and  brothers. 
Nevertheless,  the  story  that  she  had  made  an  un- 
fortunate marriage  gradually  became  known  to  her 
countrymen,  and  her  sorrow  created  a  sympathetic 
interest  in  her  son. 

The  education  of  the  boy  was  conducted  by  learned 
men:  the  wisest  poets  taught  him  traditional  tales; 
the  keenest  warriors  trained  him  to  arms.  As  Bres 
grew  older,  the  promise  of  beauty  which  he  had  given 
as  a  lad  was  fulfilled,  and  this  increased  his  popularity 
among  his  elders.  Only  those  of  his  own  age  who 
knew  him  most  intimately  hinted  that  his  disposition 
was  not  in  accord  with  his  appearance;  that  he  was 
niggardly,  jealous,  and  revengeful. 

At  the  time  of  the  Dedannan  expedition  to  Eriu, 
Bres  was  twenty  years  old.  He  was  given  opportu- 
nity to  distinguish  himself  in  the  Battle  of  Moytura, 
and,  since  he  had  personal  courage,  he  bore  himself 


22  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

well.  After  the  enforced  abdication  of  Nuada,  there- 
fore, Bres  easily  became  the  center  of  popular  atten- 
tion, which  he  took  pains  to  keep  turned  towards 
himself  by  whatever  means  were  at  his  command. 
However,  his  election  was  not  unopposed  by  the  more 
cautious  nobles. 


Ill 

THE  UNJUST  KING 

Who  is  he  of  the  mighty  thews 

Trenching  the  royal  rath? 
Who  is  he  in  the  speeding  boat 
Crossing  the  broad  sea-path? 

T  the  time  of  the  coronation  of  Bres, 
after  a  great  feast  was  held  at  Tara, 
the  Dedannans  returned  to  their  homes, 
satisfied  that  the  best  had  been  done  for 
the  kingdom.  For  some  time  scant  news 
of  the  High  King  spread  abroad;  though 
Bres  gave  his  attention  not  to  mastering 
the  duties  of  the  kingship,  but  to  abusing  its  privi- 
leges, spending  as  little  as  possible  in  the  entertain- 
ment of  others,  and  securing  for  himself  as  much 
revenue  as  he  could,  he  was  subtle  enough  to  avoid 
creating  comment.  But  an  incident  soon  occurred  to 
show  the  king's  real  nature. 

Bres  did  not  hesitate  to  gratify  his  own  pleasure: 
when  his  mother  gave  him  a  gift  of  land,  he  immedi- 
ately decided  to  have  a  new  fortified  dwelling.  This, 
being  a  king's  dun,  was  to  consist  of  a  mound  of  earth 
on  which  would  be  a  great  timber  house  with  many 


24  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

sleeping-rooms.  For  protection,  there  would  be  two 
deep  ditches,  the  earth  from  these  being  piled  in  front 
of  them  to  form  great  ramparts.  The  rath  was  to  be 
one  of  the  strongest  and  most  imposing  in  Eriu. 
The  work  of  digging  the  trenches  and  making  the 
earthworks  was  assigned  to  a  stalwart  champion,  the 
Dagda.  When  Bres  sent  for  him  and  said,  "  I  have  ap- 
pointed thee  to  trench  a  new  fortress,"  the  warrior 
was  taken  aback.  Half  dazed,  he  muttered  mechani- 
cally, "I  shall  do  as  thou  desirest,  O  King!"  Not  till 
a  moment  afterwards  did  he  realize  that  he  had  given 
his  consent  when  he  should  have  protested  vigor- 
ously. A  hero  of  such  renown  might  have  been  asked 
to  fight  for  the  king,  but  should  not  have  been  re- 
quired to  do  manual  labor  of  this  kind.  However,  he 
had  pledged  his  word,  and  every  day  for  weeks  there- 
after found  him  hard  at  work. 

Bres  should  have  requited  the  Dagda  at  least  by 
having  him  well  housed  and  fed;  on  the  contrary,  he 
had  the  champion  lodged  in  a  small  house  wherein 
dwelt  a  cross  old  man,  Cridenbel,  who  in  his  youth 
had  hoped  to  become  a  distinguished  poet,  entitled  to 
honor  almost  equal  to  that  accorded  kings;  but  fail- 
ure had  embittered  him,  and  at  this  time  it  seemed 
his  chief  endeavor  to  make  as  uncomfortable  as  possi- 
ble those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  treat- 


THE  UNJUST  KING  25 

merit  of  the  Dagda  was  consistent  with  his  character. 
From  the  first  time  that  the  great  warrior  sat  down  to 
supper,  the  poet,  in  the  next  place  at  table,  watched 
him  greedily.  The  Dagda,  who  had  been  working 
hard,  was,  naturally,  given  more  food  than  the  gray- 
beard,  who  had  passed  most  of  his  time  hobbling 
about  near  the  house  or  sitting  on  a  bench  close  to  the 
door;  even  so,  the  champion's  portion  was  none  too 
generous,  yet  Cridenbel,  leaning  towards  the  warrior, 
said  in  a  whining  voice: 

"O  Dagda,  of  thy  honor  let  the  three  best  bits  of 
thy  ration  be  given  to  me!" 

The  Dagda  was  speechless  with  astonishment,  as 
his  anger  rose,  but,  remembering  that  it  was  the  cus- 
tom of  warriors  to  avoid  quarreling  with  old  men,  he 
acceded  to  Cridenbel's  request. 

The  success  of  his  impudence  so  encouraged  the 
crabbed  poet,  that  every  night  he  demanded  and  re- 
ceived a  third  of  the  warrior's  food.  The  inevitable 
happened:  the  Dagda  grew  weak  and  thin  and  un- 
able to  progress  rapidly  with  trenching  Dun  Bres. 
Often  he  had  to  stop  and  rest.  As  he  stood  thus,  one 
day,  he  heard  a  familiar  voice: 

"What  makes  thee  look  so  ill,  O  Dagda?" 

Glancing  up,  he  saw  his  son,  Angus  Og,  a  youth  full 
of  good  cheer,  and,  what  was  then  of  more  impor- 
tance, good  advice. 


26  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

The  Dagda's  face  brightened,  but  he  answered, 
"Indeed,  I  have  cause  for  gloom  and  illness." 

"Tell  me  the  reason  for  thy  misfortune,"  said  An- 
gus, sitting  down  beside  his  father. 

The  Dagda  then  related  his  experience  with  Cri- 
denbel; the  twinkling  eyes  of  Angus  clouded  and  the 
corners  of  his  mouth  tightened. 

"Verily,  thou  hast  need  of  help,  O  Dagda,"  he  an- 
swered slowly,  knitting  his  brows. 

Suddenly  his  face  cleared,  and  he  sprang  to  his  feet. 
Plunging  his  hand  into  the  sporan,  or  pouch,  that  hung 
at  the  front  of  his  kilt,  he  drew  out  three  pieces  of  gold. 

"I  have  solved  thy  problem,"  he  said.  "Take 
these,  and  when  Cridenbel  asks  for  the  three  best  bits 
of  thy  portion,  place  the  gold  pieces  before  him,  for, 
truly,  since  the  king  has  not  yet  offered  thee  payment 
for  thy  labor,  they  are  the  best  bits  thou  hast  received 
to-day.  Perchance  Cridenbel  will  eat  them,  and,  if 
he  does,  they  will  slay  him.  If  thou  art  seized  and 
brought  before  Bres,  thou  wilt  be  accused  of  killing 
Cridenbel  by  means  of  a  deadly  herb.  Then  thou 
mayst  say,  'What  thou  utterest,  O  King  of  the  war- 
riors, is  not  a  prince's  truth!'  Well  must  thou, 
Father,  remember  the  rhyme  which  describes  a  good 
king,  a  man  who  knows  both  mercy  and  justice  and 
who  understands  the  weaknesses  of  men: 


THE  UNJUST  KING  27 

A  good  king  sits  in  judgment; 
Before  his  throne  are  brought 
Freemen,  slaves,  and  beggars, 
Chieftains  who  have  fought. 
Mildly  he  surveys  them, 
Speaks  a  prince's  truth: 
'Justice  knoweth  right  and  wrong; 
Here  stands  neither  weak  nor  strong; 
Weak  may  be  in  weakness  here; 
Strong  a  righteous  strength  may  bear.* 

Say  these  lines  to  the  king,  and  tell  him  how  thou 
wert  watched  by  Cridenbel,  and  how  he  used  to  say, 
'Give  me,  O  Dagda,  the  three  best  bits  of  thy  por- 
tion; bad  is  my  housekeeping  to-night!'  Say  to  Bres, 
'I  should  have  perished  of  hunger  had  I  not  put  my 
best,  these  three  bits  of  gold,  on  my  ration  and  given 
it  to  Cridenbel;  hence  the  gold  is  inside  Cridenbel  and 
he  died  of  it.'  Try,  O  Dagda,  what  I  suggest,  for,  if 
all  goes  as  hitherto,  thou  wilt  surely  die." 

Warmly  thanking  his  son,  the  Dagda  hurried  to 
his  lodging.  Everything  occurred  as  had  been  fore- 
told. Cridenbel,  who  was  half  blind,  eagerly  seized 
the  food  upon  which  were  the  bars  of  gold  and  swal- 
lowed them.  Writhing  in  agony,  he  fell  to  the  floor 
and  died  without  being  able  to  say  what  had  hap- 
pened to  him. 

The  Dagda  was  arrested  and  taken  under  guard  to 
Tara,  where  he  was  brought  into  the  presence  of 


28  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

Bres,  who  was  sitting  in  judgment  in  the  great  hall. 
Accused  of  murdering  Cridenbel,  the  champion  de- 
fended himself  as  Angus  had  counseled  him.  Bres  or- 
dered the  body  of  the  dead  man  opened;  the  three 
pieces  of  gold  were  discovered,  and  the  prisoner  was 
released. 

The  trial  caused  widespread  interest  among  the 
Dedannans.  The  Dagda  was  most  popular,  and  the 
story  of  his  treatment  by  the  king  was  told  through- 
out the  country,  causing  general  resentment.  The 
High  King's  subjects  had  hoped  that  he  would  be 
generous  and  active  in  advancing  his  good  name;  now 
they  realized  that  he  was  anything  but  the  hospitable, 
kindly  monarch  they  would  have  respected.  Nor  did 
it  increase  his  popularity  when  it  was  found  that  he 
had  been  granting  a  pension  to  Cridenbel,  who  was 
generally  disliked.  Murmurs  against  Bres  arose  on  all 
sides,  gathering  volume  when  there  became  known  a 
second  story  of  his  injustice,  that  of  his  treatment  of 
Ogma,  another  famous  champion. 

Like  the  Dagda,  Ogma  had  been  summoned  by 
Bres  and  asked  to  do  hard  manual  work,  to  bring  fuel 
for  the  palace  at  Tara.  This  champion,  too,  had  been 
so  surprised  that  he  did  not  protest.  He,  in  his  turn, 
was  ill-lodged  and  ill-fed.  Although  he  was  a  man  of 
such  unusual  strength  that  he  carried  firewood  daily 


THE  UNJUST  KING  29 

from  the  distant  Clew  Bay  islands,  off  the  western 
coast  of  Eriu,  his  health  began  to  fail.  Once  he  was  so 
weak  when  he  reached  the  mainland  with  his  load 
that  he  had  to  stop  on  the  beach  for  rest,  and  the  tide 
carried  off  two  thirds  of  his  burden.  Arrived  at  Tara, 
he  was  sharply  reprimanded  by  Bres.  This  was  more 
than  Ogma  could  bear;  therefore,  telling  Bres  that  he 
was  an  ungrateful  sovereign,  the  champion  retired  to 
the  protection  of  his  own  family  and  clan,  and  the 
High  King  dared  not  pursue  him. 

Indignation  against  the  king  grew  widespread.  A 
greater  cause  for  disquiet  was  the  fact  that  the  Fo- 
morians,  from  headquarters  on  Tory  Island,  close  to 
the  northern  shore  of  Eriu,  had  begun  to  make  raids 
upon  the  Dedannans,  plundering  and  wasting  the 
land  if  they  were  opposed.  These  Fomorians  were 
men  of  huge  stature,  violent  and  unscrupulous,  no 
better  than  pirates.  With  them  the  Dedannans,  on 
first  coming  to  Ireland,  had  vainly  sought  an  alliance, 
and  it  was  partly  because  the  parentage  of  Bres  was 
suspected  of  being  half  Fomorian,  that,  as  a  matter 
of  policy,  he  had  been  chosen  king.  But  reliance 
upon  the  good  offices  of  Bres  with  his  supposed  kins- 
men proved  ill-founded.  His  subjects  on  the  northern 
coast  appealed  without  avail  for  his  assistance.  He 
answered  that  he  had  neither  the  men  nor  the  wealth 


30          BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

to  help  them.  The  Fomorians,  becoming  bolder,  were 
at  last  virtually  lords  of  the  raided  district.  To  Bres 
they  sent  an  embassy,  calling  upon  the  whole  island  of 
Eriu  to  pay  tribute. 

"Now,"  said  the  Dedannans,  who  still  trusted 
him,  "our  High  King  will  treat  this  insult  as  it  de- 
serves. The  ambassadors  will  be  sent  back  to  Tory 
Island  with  a  contemptuous  defiance,  and  Eriu  will  be 
called  to  arms." 

Little  did  his  people  know  the  temper  of  the  king. 
Perhaps  because  of  his  Fomorian  blood,  perhaps  be- 
cause he  was  miserly  and  knew  that  a  war  would  be 
costly,  he  not  only  received  the  messengers  with 
courtesy,  but  agreed  that  Eriu  should  pay  the  large 
sum  they  demanded. 

"Ever  have  I  wished  that  my  people  should  live  in 
peace;  better  is  it  to  pay  with  cattle,  with  gold,  and 
with  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  than  with  the  bodies  of 
men,"  declared  Bres. 

The  Fomorians,  though  wondering  at  such  com- 
pliance, joyously  took  their  departure.  However, 
through  the  outlying  country  they  had  to  hasten  in 
fear  of  their  lives,  so  angry  were  the  Dedannans  when 
they  heard  rumors  of  the  tribute  —  news  which 
spread  rapidly  from  man  to  man.  At  almost  the  same 
time,  another  event  ended  the  patience  of  the  nobles. 


THE  UNJUST  KING  31 

One  of  the  distinguished  Dedannan  poets,  chief 
among  those  sent  as  heralds  to  the  Fir  Bolg  before 
the  Battle  of  Moytura,  was  Corpre,  friend  and  inti- 
mate of  Nuada  of  the  Silver  Hand.  The  former  king 
kept  a  lively  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  kingdom, 
and  he  was  one  of  the  first  to  hear  the  stories  about 
Bres.  When  Nuada  learned  of  the  Fomorian  demand, 
he  sent  for  his  friend. 

"O  Corpre,"  he  said,  "greatly  am  I  troubled  for 
the  future  of  Eriu.  Bres  seems  to  care  little  for  the 
honor  of  this  country  and  to  think  only  of  his  own 
welfare.  I  would  know  whether  what  I  hear  of  the 
High  King  is  true,  for,  if  he  is  unfit  to  rule,  he  must  be 
forced  to  give  up  the  throne.  Because  I  have  been 
king,  I  cannot,  without  bringing  upon  myself  just  re- 
proof, travel  about  Eriu  to  learn  the  truth  concerning 
Bres.  The  reports  of  him  may  well  be  idle  talk  such 
as  ever  surrounds  a  monarch.  But  thou  mayst  jour- 
ney through  the  country  and,  especially,  visit  Tara, 
without  provoking  comment.  None  other  is  better 
able  to  find  the  temper  of  the  people  and  to  report 
Bres  truly.  Bring  back  word  to  me,  and,  if  the  king 
has  done  ill,  I  shall  see  to  the  summoning  of  the 
council  of  nobles,  that  he  may  be  tried.  Wilt  thou  un- 
dertake this  journey  for  the  sake  of  the  land  we  both 
love?" 


32  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"O  Nuada,  gladly  will  I  do  this  because  of  our 
friendship,  and  for  the  good  of  Eriu." 

Not  many  days  later,  Corpre  set  forth.  He  went 
first  to  the  distressed  north,  next  westward,  and  so 
south,  then  up  the  eastern  coast  and  through  the  cen- 
ter of  the  island.  Everywhere  he  found  discontent. 
One  evening,  after  a  feast  given  in  honor  of  the  poet 
—  for  Corpre  was  treated  with  the  highest  respect  by 
every  chieftain  whom  he  visited  —  a  veteran  of  the 
Battle  of  Moytura  voiced  the  general  feeling: 

"O  poet  of  Eriu,  well  mayst  thou  lament  thy 
country!  Her  honor  is  forgotten;  he  who  should  guide 
and  protect  neglects  her.  The  insolence  of  pirates 
terrifies  a  king,  and  there  is  not  smoke  from  a  roof  in 
Eriu  that  is  not  under  tribute.  My  sword  frets  to  be 
drawn  against  the  Fomorians  and  this  traitor  who 
sits  upon  our  throne." 

With  these  words  lingering  in  his  mind,  Corpre 
came  the  following  afternoon  to  Tara.  The  guards 
saw  him  approaching  and  sent  a  message  to  Bres,  who 
was  sitting  in  the  great  hall.  Ever  since  the  time  of 
the  Fomorian  embassy,  the  king  had  been  uneasy, 
but  he  was  trying  to  deceive  himself  with  excuses. 
The  messenger  found  him  gazing  sullenly  into  va- 
cancy and  had  to  attract  his  attention. 

"What  wouldst  thou?"  curtly  asked  Bres. 


THE  UNJUST  KING  33 

"O  King,  a  man  of  distinction  comes  hither.  The 
guards  think  he  is  Corpre,  the  poet.  What  honor  shall 
we  pay  him?" 

"I  will  teach  him  that  an  unexpected  visit  is  pre- 
sumption!" cried  Bres,  flaring  into  anger.  He  leaned 
forward,  grasping  the  arm  of  his  chair  before  he  con- 
tinued: "Take  him  to  the  house  wherein  were  lodged 
the  servants  of  the  Fomorian  envoys,  and  carry  him 
there  the  supper  of  an  unruly  menial." 

The  messenger  looked  his  astonishment,  but  he  an- 
swered only,  "What  thou  commandest  shall  be  done, 
O  King!"  and  departed  on  his  errand. 

Was  Bres  mad?  It  was  the  custom  to  show  the  fore- 
most poets  almost  as  much  reverence  as  that  shown  to 
kings;  poets  even  had  the  right  of  sitting  at  the  royal 
table.  Bres  had  given  the  Fomorian  ambassadors  the 
best  the  palace  had  to  offer;  why  was  he  treating  a 
Dedannan  with  indignity?  The  man  shook  his  head 
as  he  went  to  escort  Corpre  to  the  little  hut  —  for  it 
was  scarcely  more  —  into  which  had  been  crowded 
the  Fomorian  attendants. 

Corpre's  face  fell  when  he  saw  where  he  was  lodged, 
and  the  servant  could  not  refrain  from  a  word  of  apol- 
ogy. When  Corpre  found  that  his  room  had  but  a  sin- 
gle window  and  neither  fire  nor  furniture,  that  he 
must  sleep  on  straw  laid  upon  the  bare  earth,  he  was 


34  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

amazed.  Were  there  so  many  guests  of  high  rank  that 
he  should  be  put  into  quarters  like  these?  He  would 
protest  to  the  king  at  once,  and  would  probably  pass 
only  one  night  in  the  hut.  But  Corpre's  wonder  was 
changed  to  wrath  when  supper  was  brought  out  to 
him  —  a  jug  of  water  and  three  little  unbuttered 
cakes  on  a  large  dish. 

Angrily  the  poet  paced  up  and  down.  It  was  too 
late  and  too  dark  to  leave  that  evening;  early  in  the 
morning  he  would  be  up  and  away.  He  would  not,  as 
he  had  planned,  pass  several  days  with  the  High 
King;  he  would  speed  back  to  Nuada  and  tell  him  of 
the  treatment  of  guests  at  Tara.  Sleeping  little,  he 
spent  the  night  in  devising  a  plan  to  bring  justice 
upon  Bres.  He  would  make  a  poem,  a  satire,  asking 
that  ill  should  befall  the  king,  and  the  greatest  of  the 
gods  would  surely  answer. 

By  sunrise,  Corpre  was  ready  to  start  homeward. 
As  he  crossed  the  lis,  or  enclosure,  of  Tara,  he  recited: 

"Without  food  quickly  on  a  dish, 
Without  a  cow's  milk  whereon  a  calf  grows, 
Without  a  man's  abode  under  the  gloom  of  night, 
Without  means  to  pay  a  company  of  story-tellers  — 
Suffering  the  death  of  a  traitor  — 

Let  that  be  the  condition  of  Bres." 

Then,  laughing  bitterly,  he  hastened  away.  Guards 
and  servants  who  heard  him  were  startled.  They 


THE  UNJUST  KING  35 

rushed  to  tell  Bres  of  Corpre's  curse.  The  king's 
heart  sank,  but  he  tried  to  reassure  those  who  came 
to  warn  him. 

Within  a  few  weeks'  time  there  appeared  on  the 
face  of  Bres  a  red  blotch,  followed  soon  after  by  one 
of  white,  and  then  by  one  of  green  —  he  was  a  blem- 
ished king,  and  forthwith  his  doom  would  be  upon 
him.  Although  several  leeches  tried,  none  could  cure 
him. 

From  that  day,  satires  were  a  weapon  of  poets  in 
Eriu;  but  only  a  just  satire  was  to  be  feared;  an  un- 
just recoiled  upon  the  maker. 


IV 

THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES 

A  shadow  moves  past  the  headland,  a  gleam  of  wind-tossed  spray 
From  speeding  oars;  the  long  boat  takes  the  traitor  on  his  way. 

|UADA  lost  no  time  in  telling  of  the  treat- 
ment of  Corpre.  The  council  was  quickly 
assembled  at  Tara,  and  Bres  was  called 
before  it.  Silence  filled  the  huge  high- 
ceilinged  hall  as  the  door  opened  and  the 
king  was  ushered  in  to  face  the  nobles 
seated  upon  either  hand.  One  of  the  eldest  of  the 
company  rose  to  make  formal  complaint  against  the 
sovereign. 

"O  King  of  Eriu,  we,  the  nobles  of  thy  kingdom, 
accuse  thee  of  being  miserly,  inhospitable,  mean- 
spirited,  and  of  caring  naught  for  the  honor  of  thy 
country  —  unfit  to  be  our  king.  Those  who  have 
visited  thee  have  found  their  knives  ungreased,  and 
their  breaths  have  not  smelt  of  ale.  Our  poets,  our 
bards,  our  harpers,  our  pipers,  our  hornblowers,  our 
jugglers,  our  jesters,  have  not  been  present  at  feasts 
for  our  entertainment,  neither  have  our  athletes  and 
our  champions  tried  their  skill  at  thy  court.  The 
muscles  of  our  strong  men  have  grown  weak,  and  our 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  37 

warriors  have  forgotten  their  cunning  with  weapons. 
Nor  service  nor  eric,  the  blood  tax,  has  been  contin- 
ued to  the  tribes,  and  the  treasures  of  a  tribe  have  not 
been  delivered  by  the  act  of  the  whole  tribe.  Hast 
thou  aught  to  say  in  thy  defense,  O  Bres?" 

The  king  tried  to  explain  that  his  endeavor  had 
been  to  reduce  the  expenses  of  government,  particu- 
larly until  the  Dedannans  should  become  thoroughly 
adjusted  to  conditions  in  their  new  country;  but  his 
explanations  were  unsatisfactory.  He  tried  to  justify 
his  treatment  of  the  Dagda,  of  Ogma,  and  of  Corpre, 
but  he  was  heard  in  scornful  silence.  At  last,  when  he 
attempted  to  defend  his  refusal  to  help  the  Dedan- 
nans in  the  north  against  the  Fomorian  raiders,  one  of 
the  northern  nobles  stood  up,  and,  pointing  to  him, 
cried : 

"O  King,  I  accuse  thee  of  allowing  thy  country- 
men to  perish  when  it  was  thy  duty  to  protect  them, 
and  of  being  heedless  when  thy  countrywomen  were 
carried  off  into  a  strange  land." 

A  murmur  of  approval  greeted  this  speech,  and 
there 'were  cries  of,  "Well  spoken!"  Another  noble 
proposed  that  the  king  be  asked  to  leave  the  hall 
while  a  vote  was  taken  as  to  whether  or  no  he  should 
be  deposed.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  Bres  was  de- 
prived of  the  kingship.  Summoned  once  more  into 


38  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

the  hall,  he  was  told  of  the  judgment  of  the  council 
and  was  asked  if  he  had  anything  to  say. 

"Nobles  of  Eriu,"  answered  Bres,  "well  do  I  know 
that  I  have  enemies,  and  they  have  prevailed.  I  am 
content  to  leave  the  sovereignty;  yet,  that  the  duties  of 
my  office  may  be  more  easily  learned  by  another,  and 
the  affairs  of  the  kingdom  left  in  good  order,  I  would 
remain  at  Tara  a  year  longer.  Should  ye  will  it  so, 
let  men  from  your  council  be  appointed  to  oversee  my 
conduct  of  the  state;  at  the  end  of  a  year  let  them  ex- 
amine anew  into  the  affairs  of  the  kingship." 

"Thou  hast  spoken  with  reason,"  said  the  head  of 
the  council,  "and  we  will  discuss  thine  offer." 

Once  more  Bres  withdrew,  and  the  nobles,  after  con- 
siderable argument,  finally  permitted  him  to  remain 
at  Tara  for  the  period  of  a  year.  They  came  to  this 
decision  largely  because  there  was  hope  that  a  young 
leech,  Miach,  would  succeed  in  giving  back  to  Nuada 
the  use  of  his  hand,  and  there  was  no  other  man  they 
would  so  gladly  have  to  rule  over  them.  The  council, 
however,  appointed  five  of  their  number  to  be  re- 
sponsible for  the  king's  discharge  of  his  duties. 

Bres  was  secretly  pleased  when  he  was  told  that  the 
nobles  had  adopted  his  suggestion.  At  the  back  of 
his  mind  lay  no  really  unselfish  wish  to  benefit  his 
successor,  but  within  a  year  he  expected  to  amass 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  39 

enough  wealth  to  make  himself  rich.  Then  he  would 
escape  to  the  Fomorian  stronghold,  where  he  would 
ask  aid  of  the  pirates  in  restoring  himself  to  the 
throne. 

Therefore,  when  the  assembly  was  dissolved,  he 
went  to  tell  his  mother  of  his  plans.  She  lived  at  Tara 
in  a  house  not  far  from  the  great  hall.  He  found  her 
nervously  awaiting  the  outcome  of  his  trial. 

Nothing  in  the  world  was  dearer  to  Eri  than  the 
welfare  of  her  son;  this  surpassed  even  her  love  of 
country.  She  was  blind  to  the  faults  of  Bres,  and  un- 
able to  see  that  he  inherited  the  characteristics  of  his 
father  rather  than  those  of  the  Dedannans.  The  ten- 
derness shown  her  for  years  by  her  countrymen  did 
not  modify  her  indignation  when  Bres  was  called  to 
give  an  account  of  his  kingship,  and,  during  his  ab- 
sence in  the  great  hall,  she  paced  the  floor,  biting  her 
lower  lip,  her  eyes  blazing,  her  hands  clenched. 
Keenly  she  regretted  not  having  told  her  son  he  was 
not  all  of  the  blood  of  the  unappreciative  Dedannans. 

When  the  young  man  entered  the  room,  she  flung 
herself  upon  him. 

"Tell  me,  O  Son,  what  has  befallen  thee?  Thou  art 
still  High  King  of  this  people  ? " 

"But  for  a  time,  O  Mother,"  Bres  answered  gloom- 
ily. Then  he  told  her  all  that  had  happened,  and  of 


40  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

his  determination  to  flee  the  country  in  order  to  get 
help  from  abroad. 

"  During  all  the  years  that  we  have  been  together, 
thou  hast  said  little  of  my  father,  save  that  he  was  of 
royal  blood.  I  do  not  know  that  he  was  even  of  the 
Dedannan  race." 

"Truly,  my  son,  thy  father  was  the  son  of  a  king. 
His  name  was  Elotha,  and  he  was  no  Dedannan,  but 
a  Fomorian.  Take  this  ring  which  he  gave  me,  charg- 
ing me  to  part  with  it  neither  by  sale  nor  by  gift  but 
to  the  one  whose  finger  could  wear  it." 

So  saying,  she  drew  off  the  ring  that  Elotha  had 
left  with  her  at  parting,  and  placed  it  upon  Bres's  lit- 
tle finger,  where  it  fitted  perfectly. 

"That  is  a  sign,  O  Bres.  Thou  art  indeed  he  for 
whom  the  ring  was  destined.  Come,  let  us  plan  to  go 
hence  into  the  country  of  the  Fomorians!" 

In  her  son's  distress,  Eri  forgot  her  sorrow  of  years, 
and  her  proud  determination  never  to  approach  her 
husband.  Far  into  the  night  she  and  Bres  talked; 
dawn  found  their  plans  completed. 

A  few  months  later,  Bres,  making  the  excuse  that 
he  wished  to  inspect  the  coast,  journeyed  northward, 
accompanied  by  his  mother  and  a  few  trusted  attend- 
ants. Those  who  met  him  on  the  road  noticed  that  he 
had  more  luggage  than  would  ordinarily  be  taken 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  41 

upon  a  short  tour,  but  only  one  man  was  suspicious 
enough  to  report  what  he  had  seen  to  the  nobles  re- 
sponsible for  the  king's  good  behavior.  Alarmed, 
they  sent  soldiers  to  discover  the  real  reason  for  the 
presence  of  Bres  in  the  north,  and,  if  necessary,  to 
take  him  prisoner.  They  arrived  in  time  to  see  a  ship 
bearing  the  king  and  his  mother  far  out  on  the  bay 
and  bound  for  Tory  Island.  The  soldiers  could  only 
stand  helpless  on  the  shore,  gazing  at  the  vanishing 
boat. 

The  Fomorians  were  at  first  inclined  to  be  hostile 
to  Eri  and  Bres.  When,  however,  it  was  explained 
that  the  Dedannan  king  was  seeking  protection  and 
aid  against  his  countrymen,  his  reception  was  cordial. 
The  mother  and  son  were  escorted  to  a  meadow  not 
far  from  their  landing-place,  where  the  petty  king  of 
the  district  was  present  at  a  fair.  Men  and  women 
from  miles  about  had  come  to  watch,  and  to  take 
part  in,  games  and  athletic  contests. 

The  day  was  unusually  bright;  the  brilliant  colors 
of  kilt  and  cloak,  the  flash  of  spear-heads  and  swords 
of  white  bronze,  contrasted  with  the  vivid  green  of 
the  grass  and  the  blue  of  the  sea.  The  Fomorian  king 
sat  upon  a  mound  of  earth  and  acted  as  judge  in  the 
sports.  To  him  were  brought  Eri  and  Bres.  When 


42  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

their  errand  was  explained,  he  received  them  cour- 
teously. 

"O  King  of  the  Dedannans,"  he  said,  "we  are 
about  to  hold  a  race.  Hast  thou,  perchance,  brought 
with  thee  hounds  from  Eriu?  If  so,  enter  them  in 
friendly  contest  with  the  dogs  of  the  Fomorians. 
Later,  thou  canst  tell  at  length  the  story  of  thy  com- 
ing hither." 

"We  have  hounds,"  answered  Bres. 

He  made  a  sign  to  an  attendant,  who  led  out  two 
couples  in  leash.  The  dogs  were  loosed,  and  all  four 
finished  ahead  of  their  rivals. 

"Swift  are  thy  hounds,  indeed,"  said  the  king  to 
Bres.  "Hast  thou,  perchance,  horses  for  a  race?" 

"We  have  horses,"  said  Bres. 

Two  spirited  steeds,  one  black,  the  other  brown, 
were  brought  forward  and  mounted  by  skilled  riders 
from  Bres's  following.  The  horses  pranced  restlessly 
before  the  start;  then  they  sped  forward  as  if  they  had 
been  stones  from  a  sling.  The  good  fortune  of  Bres 
was  scarcely  less  in  this  race  than  in  the  former;  the 
black  horse  finished  first,  the  brown  third,  the  Fomo- 
rian  king's  own  charger  taking  second  place. 

"Marvelous  are  the  steeds  of  the  Dedannans!"  ex- 
claimed the  king.  "There  is  not  another  horse  in  this 
land  which  can  outrun  mine.  But  now  we  are  to  turn 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  43 

from  the  swiftness  of  beasts  to  the  skill  of  men.  Ever 
have  the  warriors  of  our  country  been  eager  in  feats 
of  sword  and  javelin.  If  thou  wouldst  win  thy  king- 
dom again,  well  mayst  thou  rely  upon  the  prowess  of 
the  Fomorians !  One  of  the  greatest  of  our  champions, 
Bel,  stands  ready  to  meet  in  sword-play  the  man  who 
will  contend  with  him.  Hast  thou  such  an  one  with 
thee?" 

"I  myself  am  that  man,"  said  Bres,  drawing  his 
sword  and  raising  it  above  his  head,  where  the  sun- 
light gleamed  upon  the  blade. 

Among  those  near  enough  to  hear  Bres's  brave 
declaration  ran  a  murmur  of  approval,  increasing  to  a 
roar  like  the  crash  of  many  waves  when  the  Fomorian 
king  announced  that  the  Dedannan  sovereign  him- 
self would  meet  Bel.  With  the  shouting  was  mingled 
the  clatter  of  swords  and  spears  against  shields. 
Then  the  people  crowded  close  to  watch  the  final 
contest. 

The  two  men  took  their  places  and  saluted.  They 
had  bee«  provided  with  special  blunt  weapons,  that 
there  might  be  less  danger  of  serious  injury  to  war- 
riors whose  full  strength  would  soon  be  needed  in 
war.  At  first,  the  opponents  eyed  each  other  cau- 
tiously; then  Bel  made  a  savage  cut  at  Bres,  who 
skillfully  parried  the  blow  with  his  shield.  There- 


44  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

upon,  the  Fomorian  champion  seemed  resolved  to 
end  the  struggle  quickly,  for  he  made  a  continued  im- 
petuous attack.  Bres,  however,  succeeded  in  repel- 
ling this  onslaught  either  with  his  sword  or  with  his 
shield,  and  but  twice  did  his  adversary's  weapon 
graze  him.  Now  and  again  he  took  the  offensive  mo- 
mentarily; he  seemed  waiting  for  the  other  to  tire 
himself.  Most  of  the  bystanders  shouted  with  de- 
light when  Bel  appeared  to  be  gaining  the  advantage, 
though  all  the  Dedannan  followers,  and  even  a  few  of 
the  Fomorians,  gave  encouragement  to  Bres.  At  last, 
Bel  making  a  mighty  thrust  which  his  opponent 
dodged  nimbly,  slightly  overreached  himself,  and 
swayed  unsteadily  as  he  tried  to  keep  his  footing  upon 
the  grass,  grown  slippery  from  much  trampling.  This, 
apparently,  was  the  opportunity  for  which  Bres  had 
waited,  and  he  plunged  forward  to  the  attack.  Bel 
had  managed  to  regain  his  balance,  but  he  seemed 
dazed,  and  it  was  not  long  before  a  sweeping  blow 
from  Bres  laid  his  adversary  prostrate  and  momen- 
tarily unconscious. 

The  multitude  did  not  withhold  approval  of  the 
stranger.  Bres  turned  and  knelt  before  the  king  to 
receive  the  prize,  a  sword  with  hilt  of  gold. 

The  Fomorian  ruler  began,  "No  less  wondrous  thy 
skill  — "  but  his  voice  faltered,  and  he  grew  pale. 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  45 

Those  who  stood  near  the  throne  rushed  to  his  aid. 
He  recovered  himself,  and,  speaking  as  if  bewildered, 
said: 

"That  ring  which  thou  wearest — '* 

He  paused  again,  and  looked  at  Bres  with  filling 
eyes. 

Eri  had  been  close  at  hand,  watching  the  Fomorian 
ruler  intently.  Now  she  ran  forward,  crying,  "Elo- 
tha,  my  husband!  They  did  not  tell  us  thy  name. 
Thou  art  Elotha,  and  I  am  Eri!" 

The  Fomorian  king  stepped  from  the  mound  and 
clasped  Eri  in  his  arms.  To  the  young  man,  he  said, 
"Thou  art  my  son." 

Bres  embraced  his  father.  There  were  explanations 
between  them.  Soon  the  good  news  spread  through 
the  gathering,  whereupon  there  was  much  rejoicing. 

"Come  with  me,  O  Eri,  and  thou,  O  Bres,"  said 
Elotha,  at  last.  "Let  us  go  to  my  tent,  where  we  may 
have  food  and  drink,  and  where  ye  may  both  tell  your 
tale." 

Gladly  mother  and  son  followed  him;  long  was 
their  talk. 

Upon  seeing  Elotha,  Eri's  love  was  renewed.  Her 
husband  told  her  that,  after  his  return  from  the 
northern  isles  to  his  own  country,  his  father,  who 
wished  him  to  marry  a  princess  of  the  Fomorians,  had 


46  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

assured  him  that  Eri  was  dead,  showing  him  a  lock  of 
hair  said  to  have  been  sent  by  her  kinsmen.  Elotha 
had  then  married.  Shortly  afterwards,  his  wife  died, 
leaving  him  childless,  and  he  had  been  unwilling  to 
wed  again.  He  had  hoped  ever  that  the  news  about 
Eri  might  be  proved  false,  and  that  he  and  she  might 
one  day  be  reunited.  Then  Eri  told  Elotha  the  story 
of  the  birth  of  Bres  and  of  his  education  and  of 
his  election  to  the  kingship. 

The  Fomorian  king  thereupon  turned  to  his  son; 
"O  Bres,  what  need  has  brought  thee  out  of  the  land 
where  thou  ruledst?" 

Bres  told  his  father  in  detail  of  how  he  had  tried  to 
govern  Eriu,  and  of  his  attempts  at  economy  by  re- 
ducing the  entertainment  of  guests  at  Tara.  This 
policy,  he  could  see,  Elotha  did  not  approve,  for  he 
knit  his  brows.  Bres  concluded  with  the  account  of 
his  summoning  before  the  assembly,  and  of  his  ar- 
rangement with  the  nobles. 

"Men  say  that  nothing  has  brought  me  to  the  loss 
of  my  throne  save  my  own  injustice  and  arrogance," 
he  declared.  "I  stripped  the  Dedannans  of  their 
jewels  and  treasure,  and  of  their  own  food.  Neither 
tribute  nor  eric  was  taken  from  them  and  given  to 
foreigners  before  this  time." 

"That  is  bad,"  said  Elotha.  "Better  were  their 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  BRES  47 

prosperity  than  their  kingship;  better  were  their 
prayers  than  their  curses.  Why  hast  thou  come 
hither?" 

"To  whom  should  a  son  turn  in  distress,  if  not  to 
his  father?  I  have  come  to  seek  a  champion  from 
thee,"  answered  Bres.  "  I  would  take  Eriu  by  force." 

"It  should  not  be  gained  by  injustice,  if  not  by 
justice,"  continued  Elotha  reprovingly. 

"What  counsel  hast  thou  for  me,  then?"  asked 
Bres,  hesitatingly. 

Thereupon  Elotha  changed  his  attitude.  His  face 
cleared,  and  he  laughed  a  low,  malicious  laugh. 

"Although  I  do  not  like  all  thou  hast  done,  should  I 
not  rejoice  that  chance  has  given  me  not  only  a  son, 
but  the  occasion  of  going  with  the  forces  of  the  Fo- 
morians  against  a  race  I  hate?  Thou  hast  spoken 
truth,"  he  continued,  placing  a  hand  upon  the  shoul- 
der of  Bres,  "in  saying  that  a  son  should  turn  to  his 
father.  I  will  not  desert  thee.  I  will  send  thee  to 
Balor,  grandson  of  Net,  to  the  king  of  the  isles, 
sovereign  over  all  the  Fomorians,  and  to  Indech,  son 
of  De  Domnan,  asking  their  aid  and  their  authority 
for  an  expedition  into  Eriu." 

Delighted,  Bres  thanked  his  father,  and  together 
they  made  plans  to  raise  and  equip  a  mighty  host. 
Not  many  days  later,  the  banished  king  left  Elotha 


48  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

and  journeyed  under  escort  to  the  palace  of  Balor; 
thence  to  that  of  Indech.  Willingly  these  monarchs 
agreed  to  cooperate  with  Elotha,  and  soon  the  forges 
were  busy  from  one  end  of  Tory  Island  to  the  other, 
where  men  were  hammering  out  swords  and  spear- 
heads. In  the  forest,  some  were  felling  trees;  others 
were  making  frames  for  shields,  handles  for  spears, 
and  ribs  for  ships.  The  boast  of  the  Fomorians  was 
that  there  should  be  a  bridge  of  boats  from  their  land 
to  the  shores  of  Eriu. 


THE  HEALING  OF  NUADA 

Fire,  kindle!  Smoke,  arise! 
On  his  couch  the  sick  man  lies. 
Sweet  the  odor  of  burning  herbs; 
His  heavy  rest  no  pain  disturbs. 
With  fingers  deft  and  potent  spell, 
The  skillful  leech  shall  make  him  well. 

IMMEDIATELY  upon  hearing  of  the  flight  of 
Bres,  the  Dedannans  were  on  the  alert;  they 
expected  him  to  attempt  revenge.  The  nobles 
commissioned  to  oversee  the  kingship  has- 
tened to  Tara,  where  they  found  Bres  had  car- 
ried off  every  thing  of  value  that  was  portable. 
Bitterly  they  regretted  having  trusted  him. 
While  they  were  still  at  the  palace  straightening 
out  the  tangled  threads  of  government,  there  was 
brought  them  word  of  unwonted  activity  among  the 
Fomorians.  No  time  was  lost  in  sending  to  Tory 
Island  men  in  disguise,  who  soon  returned  with  news 
of  the  projected  expedition  on  behalf  of  Bres.  There- 
fore, the  entire  council  of  nobles  was  quickly  brought 
together  to  choose  a  king  whose  wisdom  and  valor 
should  enable  his  people  to  make  the  best  possible  de- 


50  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

fense  of  their  country.  As  the  assembly  was  ready  to 
begin  discussion,  a  messenger  dismounted  from  a 
horse  lathered  with  foam,  and  asked  to  be  taken  im- 
mediately before  the  head  of  the  council. 

"Good  are  my  tidings,  rulers  of  Eriu,"  the  man 
cried.  "Nuada  is  no  longer  blemished;  Miach,  son  of 
Diancecht,  has  restored  the  hand  cut  off  at  the  Battle 
of  Moytura." 

There  was  a  burst  of  cheering:  men  embraced  one 
another  in  glee;  the  noise  so  startled  the  birds  under 
the  eaves  of  the  great  hall  that  they  flew  away. 

The  messenger  told  the  story  of  Miach's  successful 
cure. 

When,  after  the  Battle  of  Moytura,  Diancecht  had 
failed  to  restore  the  severed  hand  of  Nuada  and  had 
provided  him  with  a  silver  hand  instead,  Miach  had 
been  a  lad,  interested  in  his  father's  work,  but  unable 
to  help.  However,  all  who  knew  Miach  were  amazed  at 
the  qukkness  of  his  mind  and  the  ease  with  which  he 
soon  learned  the  use  of  herbs  and  the  magic  incanta- 
tions that  formed  the  necessary  knowledge  of  a  leech. 

One  day,  when  Nuada  had  worn  the  silver  hand  for 
some  years,  Miach  came  to  him  and  said,  "O  Nuada, 
I  believe  I  can  restore  thine  own  hand.  My  father  is 
old  and  he  dares  not  venture  as  I  will.  I  promise  at 
least  to  harm  thee  no  further." 


THE  HEALING  OF  NUADA  51 

"Truly,  O  Miach,"  answered  Nuada,  "I  will  trust 
myself  to  thy  care,  for  I  like  thy  boldness.  Of  little 
use  is  this  silver  hand.  With  it  I  can  wield  neither 
sword  nor  spear,  and  I  am  become  a  fit  associate  for 
old  men,  not  for  hardy  warriors." 

Miach  had  a  stone  hut,  of  beehive  shape,  which  he 
used  for  his  experiments,  and  thither  Nuada  accom- 
panied him.  The  leech  caused  the  former  king  to  lie 
down  upon  a  couch.  He  then  kindled  a  fire  of  herbs 
which  filled  the  room  with  a  thick  smoke  and  a  pleas- 
ant odor,  lulling  the  maimed  man  into  unconscious- 
ness. Miach  took  the  severed  hand  (which  had  been 
recovered  from  the  field  of  Moytura  and  carefully 
treated  so  that  it  might  neither  wither  nor  decay)  and 
laid  it  against  his  patient's  arm.  In  a  high  voice  he 
chanted: 

"Joint  to  joint,  and  sinew  to  sinew." 

Then  he  left  Nuada,  who  continued  in  a  profound 
slumber. 

After  seventy-two  hours  the  young  leech  returned 
to  the  hut,  where  he  found,  as  he  expected,  that  the 
hand  had  again  grown  to  the  stump.  Miach  straight- 
way folded  the  arms  of  the  unconscious  man  so  that 
the  once  injured  hand  lay  upon  the  heart.  As  the 
leech  pronounced  a  terrible  incantation,  blood  began 
to  flow  from  the  arm  into  the  hand,  but  the  bones 


52  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

were  still  stiff.  Therefore,  taking  from  his  sporan  a 
white  powder  made  from  the  ashes  of  bulrushes,  Mi- 
ach  rubbed  the  hand.  At  the  end  of  the  next  seventy- 
two  hours  Nuada  opened  his  eyes,  and,  quite  as 
though  he  had  never  been  mutilated,  he  extended  his 
arm  and  grasped  a  sword  that  lay  beside  the  couch. 
When  he  realized  that  he  had  regained  all  his  former 
vigor,  he  embraced  the  leech.  Later  he  gave  the 
youth  many  costly  gifts,  but  such  was  his  courtesy 
that  he  said  no  word  of  reproof  to  Diancecht. 

This  miraculous  cure  was  accomplished  only  two 
days  before  the  gathering  of  the  nobles  to  consider 
the  state  of  the  kingdom  after  the  flight  of  Bres.  With 
unanimous  acclaim  Nuada  was  reelected  High  King 
of  Eriu  and  was  instantly  summoned  to  Tara  for  his 
crowning.  The  Stone  of  Fal  roared  loudly  as  he  stood 
upon  it  after  he  had  received  the  diadem  from  the 
chief  druid;  throughout  the  country  there  was  joy 
that  the  popular  former  king  was  again  to  direct  the 
fortunes  of  the  Dedannans.  Since  he  was  of  different 
temper  from  Bres,  who  had  refused  to  take  counsel  with 
the  leaders  of  his  people,  Nuada  promptly  asked  that 
at  the  end  of  six  months  the  nobles  should  reassemble 
at  Tara  to  lay  before  him  plans  for  withstanding  the 
Fomorians,  and  tell  him  what  help  each  part  of  the 
island  would  be  able  to  give  in  the  approaching  conflict. 


THE  HEALING  OF  NUADA  53 

When  the  councillors  met  once  more,  the  king  held 
a  great  feast;  nevertheless,  in  spite  of  abundant  food 
and  drink,  not  a  man  was  cheerful.  The  shadow  of  the 
impending  invasion  hung  over  the  hall.  But  a  cham- 
pion who  was  to  surpass  all  former  champions  was 
even  then  on  the  way  to  offer  his  services  to  Nuada. 


VI 

THE  MARVELOUS  COW 

Cow  of  the  cows  of  Eriu, 

Give  me  milk  for  my  pails. 

Five  hundred  men  must  count  on  thee, 

For  as  thy  gift  their  strength  shall  be, 

O  cow  that  never  fails! 

HE  host  who  took  part  in  the  Bat- 
tle of  Moytura  were  not  the  first 
Dedannans  to  settle  in  Eriu.  Sev- 
eral years  before  this,  three  brothers, 
noblemen,  having  had  a  difference 
with  their  king,  decided  to  leave  their 
country  in  the  northern  isles.  They  sailed  south- 
ward, were  hospitably  greeted  by  the  Fir  Bolg,  and 
given  land  on  the  northern  coast.  Here  they  practiced 
the  art  of  smiths,  and  attained  high  honor  among 
their  adopted  countrymen.  MacKineely,  one  of  the 
brothers,  became  lord  of  the  district  where  they  lived. 
Even  at  that  time  the  Fomorians  were  raiding  the 
Irish  coast.  The  Fir  Bolg  king  was  energetic  in  repel- 
ling pirate  expeditions,  and  none  gave  him  greater  aid, 
not  only  by  skill  in  making  and  repairing  weapons, 
but  by  prowess  in  using  them,  than  did  the  three 


THE  MARVELOUS  COW  55 

Dedannan  brothers,  MacKineely,  Gavida,  and  Mac- 
Samthann. 

About  this  time  MacKineely  had  come  into  posses- 
sion of  a  cow,  the  Glas,  or  Blue  One,  which  gave  more 
milk  than  any  other  in  Eriu.  She  had,  therefore,  to  be 
watched  constantly,  lest  she  be  stolen.  The  Fomo- 
rians  soon  heard  of  her  wonderful  milk-giving,  and, 
hoping  that  they  might  seize  her,  they  made  the  vicin- 
ity of  MacKineely 's  dwelling  the  objective  of  many 
of  their  raids.  However,  the  Glas  was  successfully 
guarded,  and  the  Fomorians  always  had  to  withdraw 
after  heavy  losses. 

Balor,  the  Fomorian  High  King,  grew  more  and 
more  angry,  for  he  had  set  his  heart  upon  adding  the 
miraculous  animal  to  the  royal  herd,  and  he  deter- 
mined to  accomplish  by  guile  what  he  had  been  un- 
able to  achieve  by  force.  One  of  his  druids  changed 
him  into  a  red-headed  little  boy,  and  he  was  secretly 
landed  at  the  edge  of  a  sheltered  bay  in  northern 
Eriu,  near  a  road  which  led  from  MacKineely's  dun, 
or  fortified  dwelling,  to  Gavida's  forge.  Along  this 
road,  Balor  had  learned,  MacKineely  was  soon  to 
pass,  for  his  own  forge  was  out  of  repair  and  he  was 
going  to  his  brother's  to  make  new  swords.  Since 
he  feared  to  leave  her  at  home,  he  was  to  take  with 
him  the  invaluable  cow. 


56  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

When  MacKineely  reached  the  smithy  of  Gavida, 
he  met  his  younger  brother,  MacSamthann,  bound 
on  a  like  errand.  MacSamthann  had  with  him  a 
quantity  of  findrinny,  a  white  bronze  highly  prized 
for  sword-blades  and  spear-heads. 

"If  thou  wilt  take  this  halter,  O  Brother,"  said 
MacKineely,  "and  watch  my  cow,  I  shall  take  thy 
bronze  and  see  to  the  shaping  of  the  swords!" 

Knowing  that  MacKineely  was  the  cleverest  smith 
in  the  family,  MacSamthann  promptly  agreed.  The 
cow  was  led  to  a  patch  of  grass  where  she  might 
graze,  while  her  new  keeper  sat  comfortably  in  the 
shade  of  an  oak  tree.  He  was  too  far  from  the  smithy 
to  know  what  went  on,  and  there  was  no  window  fac- 
ing him.  He  could  hear  only  the  clink  of  metal. 

Round  a  corner  of  the  building  appeared  a  red- 
headed lad,  who  shyly  approached  and  stood  for 
some  minutes  gazing  at  MacSamthann.  The  smith 
returned  the  gaze  in  friendly  fashion. 

"That  is  a  cow  of  the  cows  thou  hast,"  said  the  boy. 

MacSamthann  cared  more  for  praise  of  what  be- 
longed to  him  or  to  his  family  than  for  any  other 
praise. 

"Thou  beholdest  the  finest  of  the  cows  of  Eriu," 
he  answered  warmly.  "  No  other  gives  so  much  or  so 
rich  milk  as  this  cow  of  my  brother's." 


THE  MARVELOUS  COW  57 

"Her  fame  is  widespread.  I  have  heard  my  father 
speak  of  her.  Thou  shouldst  be  watchful  that  she 
does  not  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Fomorians." 

"  Often  have  they  tried  to  obtain  her.  Their  last 
three  raids  have  been  near  the  dun  of  my  elder 
brother,  MacKineely;  but  we  have  driven  them  off 
and  kept  our  treasure  safe.  Even  now  my  brother  is 
hammering  new  swords,  that  we  may  be  the  better 
prepared  to  defend  ourselves  when  the  pirates  come 
again." 

"Are  those  thy  brothers  at  the  forge  yonder?'* 
asked  the  boy. 

"They  are,"  replied  MacSamthann;  "MacKineely, 
the  elder,  and  Gavida,  the  younger." 

"Unusual  is  the  findrinny  which  MacKineely  has 
for  his  own  swords." 

"What  sayest  thou?"  said  MacSamthann,  leaning 
forward  with  interest. 

"Just  now  I  heard  the  younger  man  say  to  his  com- 
panion, 'Why  dost  thou  not  take  the  white  bronze  for 
thine  own  swords,  O  MacKineely,  and  leave  the  iron 
for  MacSamthann?'  And  MacKineely  answered,  'I 
will  do  so!'  Art  thou  MacSamthann?"  asked  the 
boy. 

The  smith  was  a  quick-tempered  man,  not  given  to 
reasoning.  Never  before  had  he  possessed  findrinny 


58  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

of  so  fine  a  quality  as  that  he  had  given  MacKineely. 
Without  distrusting  a  boy  whom  he  had  seen  for  the 
first  time  only  a  few  minutes  earlier,  who,  moreover, 
gave  him  information  which  agreed  not  at  all  with  the 
character  of  his  brothers,  he  shouted,  "I  am!" 

His  face  flushed  scarlet  with  rage  and  he  sprang  to 
his  feet. 

"That  findrinny  is  mine!  They  would  trick  me!  O 
wicked  men,  well  do  they  know  that  I  cannot  leave 
the  most  valued  possession  of  our  family,  and  so  they 
plot  against  me!" 

"For  a  warrior  there  were  better  work  at  the  forge 
than  playing  herdsman  here,  a  task  that  could  be 
performed  by  any  boy,"  answered  the  other,  cun- 
ningly taking  advantage  of  the  Dedannan's  jealous 
fury. 

"Thou  speakest  truth,  O  Boy!  Couldst  thou  not 
hold  the  halter  of  this  cow  for  a  little?  I  would  go  and 
foil  these  plotters.  Soon  shall  I  return  and  pay  thee 
well  for  thy  service." 

"  I  ask  no  payment,"  said  the  lad  humbly. 

MacSamthann  threw  the  rope  to  the  stranger  and 
went  running  towards  the  smithy.  Had  he  paused  to 
look  behind  him,  he  would  have  seen  the  red-haired 
gilly  urging  the  cow  into  a  gallop  and  disappearing 
with  her  over  the  hill.  MacSamthann,  however,  was 


THE  MARVELOUS  COW  59 

so  eager  to  reach  his  brothers  that  he  did  not  hear 
the  thud  of  hoofs. 

When  he  reached  the  door  of  the  smithy,  his  anger 
had  risen  to  such  a  height  that  he  stood  spluttering  on 
the  threshold.  Gavida  and  MacKineely  looked  up 
from  their  work. 

"So  ye  would  take  advantage  of  me,  elder  Broth- 
ers, and  steal  my  findrinny?"  cried  MacSamthann, 
when  he  could  find  his  voice.  "  But  I  have  come  to 
show  you  that  I  can  fight  for  what  is  mine." 

He  put  his  hand  to  his  sword  and  half  drew  it  from 
his  belt. 

Gavida  rushed  upon  him  and  pinioned  his  arms, 
while  MacKineely  cried: 

"Hold,  O  MacSamthann!  These  are  hard  words. 
Naught  have  we  done  amiss.  See,  here  is  one  of  thy 
weapons  completed,  and  one  of  my  own.  That  of 
findrinny  fits  thy  hand;  that  of  iron,  mine.  Try  them, 
and  learn  if  I  do  not  tell  thee  truth ! " 

Gavida,  feeling  his  brother's  muscles  relax,  loosed 
his  hold.  MacSamthann  was  ashamed;  his  anger  left 
him  quickly. 

"Thy  pardon,  O  Brothers,"  he  said.  "I  have  been 
too  hasty  in  believing  a  boy's  idle  tales." 

Suddenly  he  started;  his  face  paled  and  he  looked 
confused. 


60  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

At  that  instant  Gavida  asked: 

"Where,  O  MacSamthann,  is  the  cow  we  entrusted 
tothee?" 

"A  good  watchman  art  thou,"  sneered  MacKin- 
eely. 

MacSamthann  hastily  explained  his  meeting  with 
the  red-haired  lad. 

"This  is  some  trick  of  the  Fomorians!"  cried  Mac- 
Kineely,  rushing  to  the  door,  followed  by  the  others. 

They  looked  out;  not  a  trace  of  boy  or  cow  was  to 
be  seen.  In  anger  and  grief,  MacKineely  turned  to 
his  younger  brother  and  gave  him  a  stout  box  on  the 
ear,  to  which  MacSamthann  meekly  submitted. 

"This  is  no  time  for  further  rage;  anger  has  already 
lost  us  too  much,"  interposed  Gavida.  "Let  us 
hasten  and  overtake  the  thief,  if  we  can." 

Seizing  swords  and  spears,  the  three  men  hurried 
along  the  road,  following  well-known  hoof-prints  in 
the  moist  earth. 

But  the  disguised  Balor  could  not  be  overtaken. 
He  had  already  reached  the  bay  where  waited  the 
boat  which  had  brought  him.  Changing  his  shape,  he 
became  once  more  the  Fomorian  king,  and  directed 
his  men  carefully  to  embark  the  cow.  This  they  did 
with  as  much  speed  as  possible,  but  it  was  at  best  an 
undertaking  requiring  time,  and  they  had  not  pushed 


THE  MARVELOUS  COW  61 

far  from  land  when  MacKineely,  Gavida,  and  Mac- 
Samthann  reached  the  rocks.  The  Fomorians  bent  to 
their  oars,  their  sail  filled,  and  their  boat  gathered 
headway,  as  the  three  men  on  shore  let  fly  their  jave- 
lins. However,  the  pirates  had  passed  out  of  range  of 
even  the  longest  cast.  They  cried  out  jeeringly;  their 
leader  stood  up  and  made  a  derisive  gesture  at  his  des- 
perate pursuers;  but  the  cow,  as  if  realizing  that  she 
was  being  taken  from  the  island  of  her  birth,  lowed 
plaintively. 

"It  is  Balor  himself!"  exclaimed  the  three  brothers, 
upon  seeing  the  giant  figure  of  the  Fomorian  king. 
MacKineely  was  so  distraught  that  he  drew  his  sword 
and  flung  it  after  the  retreating  ship;  the  blade  cut 
through  the  gleaming  waters,  and  an  ever-widening 
circle  rippled  from  the  place  where  it  sank. 

For  many  days  following  the  loss  of  the  Glas,  Mac- 
Kineely, ordinarily  one  of  the  merriest  of  men,  was 
overcome  by  gloom.  He  thought  out  and  abandoned 
many  schemes  for  regaining  the  cow:  a  military  ex- 
pedition would  be  out  of  the  question  because  of  the 
high  rocks,  or  tors,  which  had  given  Tory  Island  its 
name;  he  knew  of  no  magic  that  would  avail.  His 
brothers  did  their  utmost  to  cheer  him,  but  without 
success  until  MacSamthann  suggested  that  Mac- 
Kineely consult  a  woman  learned  in  sorcery. 


62  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"Through  thee  I  have  lost  the  Glas;  mayhap 
through  thee  I  shall  regain  her,"  answered  MacKin- 
eely,  brightening.  "I  like  thine  advice." 

With  that  the  eldest  brother  went  straightway  to 
the  house  of  the  wise  woman,  whom  he  found  pound- 
ing herbs  in  a  metal  bowl.  Although  of  a  wild,  forbid- 
ding appearance,  she  was  kind  at  heart,  and  she 
listened  sympathetically  to  MacKineely's  account  of 
the  various  stratagems  which  he  had  considered. 
She  already  knew  of  his  loss,  for  the  story  had  spread 
rapidly. 

"Difficult  is  it  for  me  to  advise  thee,"  she  said. 
"Well  thou  knowest  that  Balor  is  unlike  ordinary 
men.  He  has  a  giant's  frame;  one  of  his  eyes,  though 
usually  kept  closed  as  if  he  were  blind,  has  such  a 
deadly  glance  that  it  will  slay  any  one  within  twenty- 
five  feet.  When  Balor  was  a  young  boy,  he  was  pass- 
ing a  house  wherein  druids  had  been  stirring  magic 
potions  and  had  set  them  by  a  window  to  cool.  As 
he  paused  at  the  window,  the  fumes  of  the  deadly  poi- 
sons entered  his  eye,  so  that  ever  since  it  has  been 
more  to  be  feared  than  sword  or  sling  or  javelin.  Ba- 
lor's  eyelid  closed  at  the  same  time  and  he  is  unable  to 
raise  it  alone;  therefore,  when  he  goes  to  battle,  he  has 
beside  him  a  youth  whose  duty  it  is  to  roll  back  the 
eyelid  at  the  king's  request.  Ill  were  it  for  thee  to 


THE  MARVELOUS  COW  63 

come  into  his  presence  and  have  him  know  thee;  un- 
doubtedly he  keeps  the  cow  on  the  green  in  front  of 
his  palace,  where  thou  wouldst  run  danger  from  the 
terrible  eye.  Against  that  I  have  no  power,  but  what 
is  possible  to  do  for  thee,  that  will  I.  Take  this  ring. 
Place  it  upon  the  third  finger  ©f  thy  right  hand.  Turn 
it  twice,  and  thou  shalt  have  the  appearance  of  a 
young  girl;  turn  it  twice  more,  and  thou  shalt  regain 
thine  own  shape.  Guard  the  ring  well,  for,  shouldst 
thou  lose  it,  thou  must  continue  in  the  shape  thou  art 
then  wearing.  Mayhap,  if  thy  followers  will  row  thee 
close  to  Tory  Island,  thou  canst  land  unseen,  and, 
in  the  guise  of  a  young  woman,  win  news  of  the 
whereabouts  of  the  cow,  learning  how  to  deliver  her 
from  the  Fomorians.  Thou  shalt  never  get  her  till 
thou  hast  slain  Balor." 

Thanking  the  druidess,  MacKineely  hastened  home 
and  made  preparations  for  immediate  departure. 


VII 
THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE 

There 's  a  clamor  of  swords  and  voices, 

A  sharp  command  at  the  gate. 
Is  it  the  word  of  Balor  the  King? 

Is  it  the  call  of  Fate? 

T  many  days  later,  MacKineely  was 
clambering  over  the  rocks  leading  to  one 
of  the  less  frequented  roads  through  the 
Fomorian  country.  He  looked  like  a 
woman  from  a  foreign  land;  if  he  should 
be  asked  questions,  he  was  prepared  to 
say  that  he  came  from  Wales.  He  carried  a  harp, 
for  he  was  a  skilled  musician  and  was  said  to  sing 
as  sweetly  as  any  bard  in  Eriu.  He  thought  that  his 
music  might  aid  him  in  reaching  those  who  could 
give  him  the  information  he  desired. 

MacKineely  had  not  traveled  far  when  he  saw  in 
the  distance  a  great  tower  commanding  a  wide  view 
of  the  sea.  As  he  drew  near,  he  noticed  that  this 
tower  was  surrounded  by  a  wall  in  which  was  a  gate 
guarded  by  an  armed  man  who  stood  in  the  shadow 
of  the  battlements,  trying  to  avoid  the  hot  sun. 

"Here  is  one  who  can  tell  me  something,"  thought 
MacKineely. 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  65 

*  Victory  and  blessing  be  upon  thee,  O  Warrior," 
he  said  aloud.  "Before  whose  fort  or  dwelling  am  I, 
and  whither  does  this  road  lead?" 

The  soldier  shifted  his  spear  from  one  hand  to  the 
other  and  looked  intently  at  MacKineely  before  an- 
swering. If  the  man  had  been  suspicious,  his  doubts 
were  set  at  rest,  for  he  replied  pleasantly,  in  a  low 
drawl: 

"Well  is  it  that  thou  comest  from  another  coun- 
try, O  Maiden,  for  it  might  chance  to  fare  ill  with 
thee  wert  thou  of  the  Fomorians  and  at  this  gate, 
even  though  thou  art  of  womankind." 

"And  if  I  were  a  man,  what  reason  is  there  that  I 
should  not  be  here?  Are  not  roads  in  the  Fomorian 
country  for  men  and  women  alike?" 

The  sentry,  seeing  MacKineely's  annoyance  that 
his  question  had  not  been  directly  answered,  contin- 
ued: 

"Thou  dost  not  understand,  and  I  shall  tell  thee. 
The  road  along  which  thou  journeyest  goes  no  fur- 
ther; the  king's  command  is  that  none  may  travel  it 
save  those  having  business  at  the  tower.  Within 
dwells  the  only  child  of  Balor,  High  King  of  the  Fo- 
morians. She  has  been  kept  here  since  babyhood  be- 
cause, before  her  birth,  it  was  prophesied  that  Balor 
should  be  slain  by  his  grandspn.  The  king  thereupon 


66  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

swore  a  mighty  oath  that  his  daughter  should  never 
marry.  Her  companions  are  twelve  women  from  the 
noblest  families  of  our  people.  Never  has  Ethne 
seen  a  young  man  but  at  a  distance;  the  work  in  out- 
houses and  gardens  is  done  by  women;  my  fellow 
guards  and  I  are  the  only  men  near  at  hand,  and  she 
cannot  see  us,  for  she  never  passes  this  gate.  An  aged 
druid  is  permitted  to  visit  the  tower  to  instruct  Ethne 
and  her  women  in  religion.  But  graybeards  are  fit 
companions  of  women,"  he  added  scornfully. 

"Ethne  is  now  seventeen  years  old,  and  she  is  said 
to  be  the  loveliest  princess  ever  born  on  Tory  Island. 
No  luxury  is  denied  her,  and  women  skilled  in  all  arts 
are  brought  hither  for  her  pleasure.  I  see  thou  hast  a 
harp.  Perchance  thou  art  one  of  them?" 

MacKineely,  not  yet  accustomed  to  his  new  ap- 
pearance, and  naturally  truthful,  was  on  the  point  of 
answering  emphatically  "No,"  when  it  occurred  to 
him  that,  if  he  said  he  had  heard  of  Ethne  and  had 
come  to  the  tower  hoping  for  a  chance  to  entertain 
her,  he  might  not  only  be  brought  into  her  presence, 
but,  through  her,  reach  the  court  of  Balor  and  find 
the  lost  cow. 

"If  this  be  Ethne's  dwelling,  I  have  chosen  the 
right  road.  I  am  a  maiden  from  Wales,  skilled  in 
playing  the  harp  and  in  singing.  While  in  the  coun- 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  67 

try  of  the  Fomorians  with  my  brother,  I  was  told  of 
the  lovely  Ethne,  and  I  set  out  to  learn  if  I  might  not 
remain  with  her  a  few  days  and  sing  to  her." 

Although  the  man-at-arms  was  not  quick-witted, 
he  had  an  eye  for  comeliness,  and  MacKineely  had 
been  changed  into  a  girl  far  from  ugly. 

"I  doubt  not  that  they  will  welcome  thee,  O 
Maiden,"  said  the  sentry  admiringly. 

"Tell  me  further  of  Ethne,"  urged  MacKineely, 
before  the  Fomorian  could  continue.  "If  I  am  to  see 
her,  I  would  know  more  about  her,  lest  I  speak  un- 
wisely." 

"  I  am  told  that  of  late  she  has  been  watching  the 
fishermen  in  their  boats.  Some  of  them  have  rowed 
very  near  the  shore,  and  Ethne,  noticing  that  they 
are  different  from  the  women  with  her,  and  from  the 
druid,  has  asked  many  questions  difficult  to  answer. 
They  say  her  sleep  has  been  troubled,  and  from  the 
descriptions  she  gives  of  those  who  have  appeared  to 
her  in  visions,  she  seems  to  be  dreaming  of  fisher-folk. 
Her  women  are  endeavoring  to  distract  her  from  such 
dreams  and  queries,  but,  so  far,  with  little  success." 

"I  may  succeed  where  they  have  failed." 

"Thy  opportunity  may  be  soon.  Yonder  comes  an 
aged  sailor  who  every  week  brings  fish  for  the  princess 
and  is  met  at  the  gate  by  one  of  her  companions." 


68  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

MacKineely  saw  a  cart  approaching  slowly.  As  he 
looked  down  the  road,  the  gate  behind  him  opened, 
and  a  tall,  dark  woman  stepped  out.  Noticing  a 
stranger,  she  hesitated,  with  an  inquiring  glance  at  the 
guard,  who  reassured  her  and  explained  the  mission  of 
the  maiden  from  Wales.  Accepting  the  explanation, 
the  woman  led  MacKineely  within  the  enclosure. 

"For  a  month  past,"  she  said,  "my  mistress  has 
seemed  changed.  She  has  lost  her  former  gayety  and 
wanders  alone  on  the  high  rocks  by  the  sea  where 
there  is  no  wall.  Constantly  she  asks  us  what  persons 
are  those  who  row  by  in  coracles,  and  describes  to 
us  strong,  broad-chested  beings  of  whom  she  has 
dreamed.  As  we  are  forbidden  to  mention  men,  we 
explain  as  best  we  may  —  and  the  task  is  difficult." 

By  this  time  MacKineely  and  his  guide  had 
reached  the  entrance  to  Ethne's  bower,  set  in  the 
midst  of  gardens  even  more  beautiful  than  those 
through  which  the  visitor  had  already  come.  Within 
the  arbor  sat  the  princess,  dressed  in  a  white  tunic; 
from  her  shoulders  fell  a  yellow  cloak;  round  her  neck 
was  a  chain  of  precious  stones.  The  splendor  of  her 
dark  beauty  burst  upon  MacKineely,  so  that  he  was 
for  some  seconds  speechless. 

"Whether  or  no  Ethne  suffers  from  the  sickness  of 
love,"  thought  he,  "I  shall  suffer  from  it  henceforth." 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  69 

The  princess  received  the  supposed  Welsh  girl 
graciously,  though  without  much  show  of  interest. 

"Wilt  thou  not  play  for  me,  O  Maiden?  The  music 
of  thy  country  is  far-famed." 

MacKineely  raised  his  harp,  and  with  deft  fingers 
sounded  melodious  chords;  Ethne  and  her  compan- 
ions settled  themselves  to  listen.  He  resolved  that,  if 
ever  a  singer  put  his  heart  into  words  and  music,  he 
would  do  so  then. 

He  sang: 

Color  of  the  foxglove, 

Color  of  the  rose, 
The  minstrel  sings  the  beauty 

Every  poet  knows. 

Eyes  of  maiden  wonder 

Gleam  with  love's  delight; 
He  that  knows  their  shining 

Knows  a  starlit  night. 

More  gently  than  a  seed  falls, 

Or  berry  from  a  tree, 
Love  shall  fall  within  the  heart, 

Blossom  wondrously. 

When  MacKineely  had  finished,  there  was  silence, 
disturbed  only  by  the  sound  of  surf  on  the  rocks 
below  the  tower.  Of  the  twelve  ladies  with  the  prin- 
cess, only  one,  the  youngest,  her  closest  friend,  Bla- 


70          BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

naid,  was  pleased  with  the  song;  the  others  were 
troubled  by  the  mention  of  love,  yet  this  was  scarcely 
a  sufficient  reason  for  objecting  to  Ethne's  having  the 
stranger  for  a  guest. 

Ethne  spoke: 

"Well  hast  thou  sung,  O  Maiden,  and  thy  song 
shall  have  its  full  recompense.  Wilt  thou  not  stay 
with  me  here?  For  I  would  ask  thee  about  many 
things." 

Disguising  his  joy  behind  a  modest  demeanor, 
MacKineely  consented  to  remain.  As  the  women 
murmured  among  themselves,  the  lady-in-waiting 
who  had  brought  him  into  the  garden  led  him  to  the 
room  in  the  tower  where  the  princess  directed  that  he 
be  lodged,  and,  although  he  spoke  agreeably  to  the 
attendant,  she  now  answered  him  curtly. 

Throughout  the  day,  Ethne  kept  the  Welsh  girl  by 
her  side.  She  dismissed  her  other  companions,  save 
Blanaid,  and  at  last  sent  her  off,  too.  In  the  evening, 
the  supposed  maiden  sang  again,  beginning  with  the 
words: 

O  waves  that  are  rushing  in  rapture 
Where  waits,  unresisting,  the  sand, 
Waves,  destined  never  to  capture 
The  uttermost  line  of  the  land, 
Soon,  the  tide  will  be  turning, 
And  you  will  be  drawn  from  the  sand* 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  71 

With  this  song,  also,  the  princess  was  charmed. 
Her  women  were  still  more  disturbed,  but  again  they 
felt  unable  to  object. 

As  for  MacKineely,  he  was  deeply  in  love  with  the 
princess,  and  thinking  hard  how  he  might  reveal  him- 
self and  persuade  her  to  fly  with  him.  During  the  four 
or  five  succeeding  days  he  was  more  and  more  alone 
with  her.  The  attendants  muttered  among  them- 
selves, till  at  last  they  ventured  to  complain  to  the 
princess,  who  silenced  them  with  angry  words: 

"Never  have  I  had  a  friend  who  would  talk  to  me 
as  does  this  maiden.  She  has  seen  much  of  the  world, 
and  she  is  willing  to  answer  my  questions  and  to  tell 
me  what  lies  beyond  these  walls.  This  ye  have  never 
done.  She  shall  remain  with  me  as  long  as  she  will,  and 
take  rich  gifts  when  she  goes." 

Great  was  the  consternation  of  Ethne's  guardians. 
What  was  the  Welsh  woman  telling?  She  must  be 
dismissed  at  once;  yet  they  knew  Ethne  was  not 
ready  to  release  her,  and  that  it  would  be  difficult,  if 
not  impossible,  to  deal  with  the  stranger,  who  had  be- 
come so  devoted  that  she  would  not  willingly  depart 
from  the  princess.  What  should  be  done?  They 
would  consult  Balor;  he  was  their  sovereign  as  well  as 
the  father  of  their  charge,  and  he  would  know  what 
ship  from  Wales  had  arrived  at  Tory  Island,  the 


72  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

names  of  her  passengers,  and  how  soon  the  vessel 
would  return  home.  Reproaching  themselves  that 
they  had  not  sent  earlier  to  the  High  King,  they  des- 
patched a  messenger  immediately. 

Fortunately  for  MacKineely,  Blanaid  told  Ethne 
of  what  had  been  arranged  by  the  waiting- women,  and 
the  princess  told  her  new  favorite.  The  Dedannan 
realized  that  he  was  now  in  peril;  the  messenger 
would  return  from  the  court  bringing  word  that  no 
such  woman  as  the  Welsh  girl  had  ever  been  seen  by 
the  king  or  had  landed  on  the  island.  He  must  tell 
the  princess  the  truth.  As  he  and  Ethne  were  walking 
on  the  rocks  in  the  evening,  watching  the  wavering 
pathway  of  the  moon  across  the  dark  ocean,  he  con- 
fessed both  his  identity  and  his  love,  and  begged  the 
princess  to  trust  herself  to  him.  Rapidly  he  poured 
forth  his  story,  and,  as  he  drew  to  a  close,  he  twisted 
the  ring  upon  his  right  hand  and  stood  revealed. 

Her  alarm  upon  seeing  the  tall,  blue-eyed  stranger, 
with  his  golden  hair,  crimson  cloak,  and  jeweled 
sword,  gradually  disappeared,  and  under  the  spell  of 
his  eager  words  dismay  gave  place  to  tenderness. 

"O  Chieftain  from  Eriu,"  she  said  at  last,  "already 
must  thou  know  what  I  shall  say  to  thee.  Thou  hast 
told  me  all  I  have  learned  of  the  world  and  of  love.  I 
ask  naught  better  than  to  go  with  thee  through  the " 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  73 

world.  Thy  danger  is  become  mine,  and  together  we 
must  flee  from  this  place.  If  all  men  be  like  thee,  they 
will  help  and  protect  us!" 

The  stateliness  of  a  princess  slipped  from  Ethne. 

Soon  MacKineely  said,  "But  now,  O  Ethne,  we 
must  plan  to  escape." 

"Let  us  trust  to  Blanaid;  her  father  is  noted  for  his 
good  counsel,  and  she  is  supposed  to  be  like  him.  We 
will  tell  her  that  I  am  no  longer  Ethne  of  Tory  Island, 
but  Ethne  of  Eriu." 

MacKineely  reassumed  his  woman's  disguise  and 
returned  with  the  princess  to  the  tower.  Ethne  took 
Blanaid  into  her  confidence.  For  a  time  the  waiting- 
woman  hesitated  as  to  whether  she  should  help  her 
mistress  to  escape,  but  she  finally  yielded  to  Ethne's 
entreaties.  The  princess  was  determined;  MacKin- 
eely had  pointed  out  that  once  she  had  taken  her 
husband's  nationality  she  would  be  entitled  to  the 
protection  of  the  men  of  Eriu. 

After  several  minutes  of  consideration,  Blanaid 
said: 

"O  Ethne,  I  have  smoothed  away  the  unsmooth- 
ness  that  lies  before  thee.  My  companions  have  said 
that  thy  new  friend  has  turned  thy  thoughts  to 
strange  fancies.  Well  may  we  use  this  against  them. 
To-morrow  pretend  thou  imaginest  that  the  strange 


74  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

maiden  is  a  man  with  whom  thou  hast  fallen  in  love 
—  as  will  be  easy  for  thee,  indeed !  Thy  women  will 
think  thee  mad,  and  in  this  I  shall  encourage  them. 
Demand  that  thou  be  married  immediately,  and  I 
shall  suggest  that,  to  quiet  thee,  the  druid,  who 
comes  hither  often,  be  summoned  to  perform  a  mar- 
riage which  to  thine  attendants  will  seem  mockery, 
but  to  MacKineely  and  to  thee  will  be  binding." 

"Thy  wits,  O  Blanaid,  are  keener  than  the  sharpest 
of  swords!"  exclaimed  Ethne  in  delight,  kissing  her 
friend. 

All  went  as  Blanaid  hoped.  The  attendants  were 
much  disturbed  by  Ethne's  unusual  behavior,  and 
they  easily  agreed  to  send  for  the  druid.  Ethne  and 
MacKineely  were  married;  whereupon  the  princess 
again  behaved  normally,  and  Blanaid  was  heartily 
congratulated  by  the  other  women  for  having 
thought  of  a  plan  to  restore  Ethne's  reason,  and 
embraced  by  the  princess  for  having  successfully 
^deceived  her  companions. 

The  more  serious  question  of  escape  from  the 
tower  now  confronted  the  lovers.  MacKineely 
pointed  out  that,  although  the  enclosure  was  carefully 
guarded  on  the  landward  side,  it  had  virtually  no  pro- 
tection from  the  sea:  once  or  twice  during  the  day  a 
sentry  appeared  on  distant  rocks;  at  night  the  shore 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  75 

was  deserted.  Evidently  there  was  little  fear  that 
any  one  would  attempt  a  landing,  especially  as  this 
would  be  possible  only  during  the  quiet  seas  of  sum- 
mer. By  water,  therefore,  lay  the  best  chance  of 
flight.  The  boat  which  had  landed  MacKineely  was 
due  to  return,  and  Blanaid  suggested  she  should  meet 
it,  go  on  board,  and  guide  it  to  the  easiest  landing- 
place  in  front  of  the  tower,  where  Ethne  and  Mac- 
Kineely would  be  waiting. 

Unfortunately,  the  plotters  had  forgotten  the  mes- 
senger who  had  been  sent  to  Balor.  The  king  was 
alarmed,  and,  since  he  could  get  no  information  of  the 
arrival  of  a  Welsh  ship,  his  suspicions  were  aroused. 
He  would  surprise  Ethne  by  a  visit. 

Ethne,  MacKineely,  and  Blanaid  made  careful 
plans.  The  young  waiting-woman  left  her  mistress 
early  upon  the  morning  of  the  day  when  the  boat  of 
the  Dedannan  was  due  offshore;  in  the  evening,  the 
princess,  complaining  of  a  headache,  went  to  her  room 
shortly  after  supper.  The  other  women  followed  her 
example,  and,  save  for  a  single  light  shining  in  the 
window  of  Ethne's  room,  the  tower  was  soon  in  dark- 
ness. The  princess  was  quickly  joined  by  Mac- 
Kineely, who  helped  her  in  preparations  for  flight. 

Down  the  stairs  crept  the  lovers,  through  the  silent 
tower,  and  out  to  the  edge  of  the  moonlit  sea.  Mac- 


76  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

Kineely,  still  in  his  woman's  guise,  found  difficulty  in 
clambering  over  the  rocks.  When  he  reached  the 
water,  he  turned  the  magic  ring  and  changed  his  ap- 
pearance to  that  of  a  Dedannan  warrior.  In  putting 
out  his  hand  to  help  Ethne,  he  felt  the  ring  slip  from 
his  finger,  and  it  fell  noiselessly  into  a  cranny  in  the 
rocks. 

"My  ring!  It  is  lost!"  he  cried,  wildly  groping  in 
the  seaweed. 

"Do  not  fret  thyself,  Beloved.  Soon  thy  compan- 
ions will  be  here,  and  we  shall  be  hastening  towards 
Eriu." 

They  gazed  seaward,  but  there  was  no  sign  of  a 
boat  on  the  shimmering  ocean.  Almost  immediately, 
from  the  road  outside  the  enclosure,  came  a  sound  of 
men's  voices,  followed  by  a  challenge  from  the  sentry. 

"Who  goes  there?" 

"Balor,  High  King  of  the  Fomorians,  to  see  his 
daughter!" 

Hearing  the  soldiers,  MacKineely  would  have 
transformed  himself  once  more  into  a  woman,  but  he 
had  no  time  to  search  further  for  the  magic  ring;  al- 
ready Balor  was  inside  the  walls,  with  a  man  carry- 
ing a  torch  before  him.  There  were  cries  from  the 
women  in  the  tower,  and  the  Dedannan  knew  that 
Ethne's  absence  must  have  been  discovered.  Seeing 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  77 

no  place  for  concealment,  nor  chance  of  escape  over 
the  rocks,  he  thrust  Ethne  behind  him,  drew  his 
sword,  adjusted  his  shield  upon  his  left  arm,  and 
waited. 

Balor  was  now  calling  loudly  for  his  men-at-arms, 
and  soon  MacKineely  saw  the  Fomorian  giant  ap- 
proaching and,  after  him,  men  running  across  the 
grass.  What  MacKineely  could  not  see  was  a  boat 
suddenly  shooting  into  the  moonlight  and  coming  up 
to  the  rocks.  As  he  raised  his  shield  to  catch  a  spear 
hurled  by  Balor  at  close  range,  the  boatmen  leapt 
ashore,  and,  a  moment  later,  the  war  cry  of  Eriu  rang 
into  the  night  air.  Blanaid  hurried  from  the  boat  to 
the  side  of  her  mistress. 

The  fight  was  short  and  decisive.  The  Fomorians 
hopelessly  outnumbered  their  opponents,  and  soon  all 
but  two  of  the  strangers  were  either  killed  or  so  badly 
wounded  that  they  were  unable  to  hold  their  weap- 
ons. MacKineely,  in  hand-to-hand  conflict  with 
Balor,  slipped  on  a  piece  of  seaweed,  and,  before  the 
Dedannan  could  recover  himself,  the  Fomorian 
seized  him  by  the  hair  and  severed  his  head  from  his 
body.  His  men  managed  to  reach  their  boat,  push  off, 
and  carry  home  to  Gavida  and  MacSamthann  the 
tidings  of  MacKineely's  adventures  and  death. 

Ethne  and  Blanaid  were  taken  back  to  the  tower. 


78  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

No  one  noticed  that  the  waiting-woman  had  appeared 
not  with  the  others,  but  from  the  boat;  therefore 
Ethne's  request  that  her  favorite  be  allowed  to  re- 
main with  her  was  granted,  although  the  eleven  other 
women  were  dismissed  by  the  angry  king,  who  dou- 
bled the  guard  in  front  of  the  enclosure  and  established 
sentries  at  close  intervals  along  the  rocks.  The  prin- 
cess was  commanded  to  remain  for  a  year  with  only 
the  one  companion,  who  was  ordered  upon  pain  of 
death  not  to  leave  her  mistress.  In  her  sorrow  for 
MacKineely,  Ethne  was  comforted  by  Blanaid.  The 
two  lived  quietly  in  the  tower,  giving  themselves  to 
weaving  and  embroidery,  and  speaking  often  of  the 
brief  time  that  Ethne's  husband  had  been  with  them. 
In  due  course,  the  princess  gave  birth  to  three  baby 
boys,  but  she  died  when  they  were  only  three  days  old. 
Balor's  fury  upon  hearing  of  the  triplets  was 
greater  than  his  grief  for  his  daughter.  Sending  for 
Blanaid,  he  would  have  put  her  to  death  had  not  her 
father,  a  powerful  chieftain,  begged  that  she  be 
spared.  However,  she  was  sent  away  from  the  High 
King's  court.  Ethne's  children  were  given  to  an  old 
woman,  who  was  paid  by  the  king  to  kill  them.  Not 
daring  to  put  them  to  death  in  the  daytime,  she  made 
up  her  mind  to  drown  them  at  night  in  the  whirl- 
pool of  an  inlet  near  her  cottage. 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  79 

When  MacKineely  lost  the  magic  ring,  he  lost  also 
the  link  binding  him  to  the  druidess  in  Eriu  and  her 
power.  Although  no  longer  able  to  protect  him,  she 
was  well  aware  of  all  that  happened  to  him.  Her  in- 
terest in  the  fortunes  of  his  family  continued  after  his 
death;  through  her  magic  she  knew  of  the  birth  of  his 
sons,  and  she  was  sure  that  Balor  would  try  to  kill 
them.  She  had  not  power  to  keep  them  from  harm; 
nevertheless,  it  was  she  who  inspired  the  old  woman 
to  think  of  drowning  them  in  the  whirlpool  near 
the  house  where  Blanaid  had  been  living  since  her 
banishment. 

The  crone  took  a  boat  and  rowed  out  from  shore. 
Pulling  in  the  oars,  lest  she  go  too  near  the  swirling 
waters,  she  let  the  boat  drift,  and  held  the  three 
children,  pinned  in  a  napkin,  over  the  side.  Unknown 
to  her,  one  of  the  infants  slipped  from  the  bundle  and 
fell  into  the  tide,  which  bore  him  swiftly  and  surely 
to  a  sandy  beach,  where  he  was  deposited  uncon- 
scious but  unhurt.  A  moment  later,  the  woman,  now 
near  the  whirlpool,  released  the  bundle,  which  was 
promptly  caught  in  the  dark  eddy  and  lost  forever. 

Balor  was  overjoyed  when  he  learned  of  the  appar- 
ent success  of  his  wicked,  unnatural  plan,  and  he  gave 
an  additional  sum  of  money  to  the  old  woman.  Both 
were  ignorant  of  what  had  really  happened;  not  so 


8o  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

the  druidess  in  Eriu,  who  was  delighted  that  the 
waves  had  done  what  she  hoped  in  rescuing  at  least 
one  of  the  boys.  Immediately  she  sent  a  dream 
wherein  a  shining  figure  appeared  to  Blanaid  and 
said: 

"  Go  to  the  shore  of  the  inlet,  and  there  on  the  sand 
below  the  dune  find  Ethne's  son,  who  will  one  day  be 
great  among  the  men  of  Eriu,  more  famous  than  any 
other  in  whose  veins  runs  the  blood  of  the  Fomorians." 

Blanaid  awoke  and  rushed  to  the  beach,  where  lay 
the  child,  left  by  the  receding  tide  on  the  warm  sand. 
From  a  mark  upon  his  chest,  Blanaid  recognized 
him,  and  carried  him  home  with  her.  After  much  ef- 
fort, she  restored  him  to  strength,  and  kept  him  in 
her  charge  for  several  months,  swearing  to  secrecy  the 
few  servants  who  lived  with  her.  Then,  fearful  that 
Balor  might  hear  of  the  child  and  compass  not  only 
her  death  but  his,  she  determined  to  send  him  secretly 
to  his  uncles  in  Eriu,  of  whom  MacKineely  had  told 
Ethne  in  Blanaid's  hearing.  This  she  was  finally  able 
to  do,  through  the  good  offices  of  a  trader  who  had 
been  urged  by  the  druidess  to  visit  Blanaid.  Gavida 
and  MacSamthann  were  overjoyed  to  receive  the 
boy,  and  they  reared  him  with  all  the  care  due  one 
destined  to  be  a  valiant  defender  of  his  country. 

At  the  time  of  the  Dedannan  invasion,  the  two 


THE  STORY  OF  ETHNE  81 

smiths  were  in  a  difficult  position.  Naturally  sym- 
pathetic with  the  Fir  Bolg  because  of  long  associa- 
tion, they  still  retained  deep  pride  of  race.  Before  the 
Battle  of  Moytura,  King  MacErc  had  wisely  sent 
them  on  a  mission  into  the  southern  part  of  the  island, 
that  they  might  not  be  expected  to  fight  against  men 
of  their  own  blood.  After  the  victory  of  the  Dedan- 
nans,  both  brothers  were  invaluable  in  arranging 
amicable  relations  between  their  own  people  and  the 
Fir  Bolg. 

When  King  Nuada  summoned  his  council  to  ad- 
vise him  in  protecting  Erin  against  the  threat  of 
Fomorian  invasion,  Gavida  and  MacSamthann  were 
too  old  to  travel  as  far  as  Tara  to  attend  the  nobles' 
assembly;  therefore,  after  consulting  together,  they 
called  their  nephew,  now  grown  to  manhood,  before 
them. 

"O  Lugh,"  said  Gavida,  "we  have  taught  thee  all 
we  know,  and  we  have  also  put  thee  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  best  teachers.  Thou  art  not  only  skilled 
as  a  smith  and  as  a  warrior,  but  thou  knowest  the 
history  of  thy  father's  people,  the  songs  of  the  great- 
est poets  —  all,  indeed,  that  is  of  use  to  a  man  of 
imagination  and  of  action.  Now  the  country  of  thy 
father  is  in  danger  from  men  of  the  very  Fomorian 
land  in  which  he  was  slain,  and  it  is  said  that  the  aged 


82  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

but  still  vigorous  Balor  will  come  with  the  host  soon 
to  fall  upon  Eriu.  King  Nuada  will  ask  aid  of  every 
man.  Since  we  are  too  advanced  in  years  to  bear 
arms  or  to  journey  to  the  council,  we  would  send 
thee,  Lugh,  our  best  gift  to  our  country.  Take  this 
sword  of  thy  father's,  this  spear  that  was  MacSam- 
thann's,  and  this  shield  that  was  mine,  and  journey 
to  the  king.  Victory,  and  the  blessing  of  the  gods  be 
upon  thee!" 

Lugh,  his  heart  beating  with  eagerness  to  serve 
in  the  Dedannan  army,  yet  sad  to  leave  his  kindly 
uncles,  kissed  them  tenderly,  and  thanked  them  for 
their  weapons.  Arming  himself  with  these,  he  set  out 
for  the  High  King's  palace. 


VIII 
THE  NEW  CHAMPION 

Out  from  the  wood  at  Tara,  with  sparkle  of  weapons 
Help  unheralded,  to  save  the  valiant  from  danger, 
A  youth  advances,  supple,  confident,  kingly; 
Wondering  doorkeepers  murmur,  and  question  the  stranger. 

^UADA  had  not  neglected  to  provide  for 
the  protection  of  Tara  during  the  feast 
and  the  council  of  nobles;  he  had  assigned 
two  renowned  warriors  to  act  as  door- 
keepers of  the  great  hall.  They  were  to 
watch  that  no  stranger  appeared  without 
his  presence  becoming  known. 

As  these  men  stood  gazing  languidly  towards  the 
wood  at  the  foot  of  Tara  Hill,  they  saw  a  man  come 
from  among  the  trees  and  turn  in  the  direction  of  the 
palace.  The  sun's  rays  sparkled  upon  his  garments, 
which  the  sentinels  judged  to  be  rich  enough  for  a 
great  warrior,  or  even  for  a  king.  When  he  came 
nearer,  they  found  their  surmise  had  been  correct; 
gold  and  silver  threads  were  inwoven  with  the  linen 
of  his  kilt  and  with  the  cloak  which  covered  his 
shoulders.  His  sword-hilt  was  inlaid  with  gold;  his 
spear  had  a  band  of  gold  below  the  barb;  his  shield  of 


84  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

wicker-work  had  a  boss  of  shining  findrinny;  fair  hair 
fell  about  his  shoulders;  fearless  was  the  glance  of  his 
youthful  eyes. 

"Who  goes  there?"  challenged  one  of  the  door- 
keepers. 

The  stranger  halted,  planting  the  butt  of  his  spear 
firmly  upon  the  ground. 

"Lugh,  son  of  a  chieftain  of  the  Dedannans,"  an- 
swered the  young  man  in  a  pleasant  voice.  "I  would 
aid  the  High  King  against  the  Fomorians." 

"What  art  dost  thou  practice?"  asked  the  door- 
keeper further. 

"Question  me,"  Lugh  replied.  "I  am  a  wright." 

"We  need  thee  not,"  responded  the  older  sentinel. 
"We  have  a  wright  already,  even  Luchtad,  son  of 
Luachaid." 

"Question  me,  O  Doorkeeper!  I  am  a  smith." 

"We  have  a  smith  already,  even  Colum  Cuallinech 
of  the  three  new  processes." 

"Question  me.  I  am  a  champion." 

"We  need  thee  not.  We  have  champions:  the 
Dagda,  Ogma,  and  others." 

"I  am  a  harper." 

"We  need  thee  not.  We  have  a  harper  already, 
even  Abhean,  son  of  Bicelmos,  whom  the  men  of  the 
three  gods  chose." 


THE  NEW  CHAMPION  85 

"Question  me,  O  Doorkeeper!  I  am  a  poet  and  I 
am  an  historian." 

"We  need  thee  not.  Already  we  have  a  poet  and 
historian,  even  En,  son  of  Ethaman." 

"I  am  a  sorcerer  also." 

"We  need  thee  not.  Many  are  our  wizards  and  our 
folk  of  might." 

"Question  me.   I  am  a  leech." 

"  We  need  thee  not.  We  have  Miach  and  Diancecht." 

"I  am  a  cupbearer." 

"We  have  cupbearers  already,  Delt  and  Drucht 
and  Daithe,  Tor  and  Talam  and  Trog,  Glei  and  Glan 
and  Gleisi." 

"Question  me.  I  am  a  good  brazier." 

"We  need  thee  not.  We  have  a  brazier  already, 
even  Credne  Cerd." 

By  this  time  Lugh  was  growing  discouraged.  He 
had  purposely  refrained  from  mentioning  his  uncles, 
Gavida  and  MacSamthann,  for  he  wished  to  be  en- 
rolled in  the  High  King's  service  because  of  his  own 
merits.  However,  he  made  a  final  attempt  to  please 
the  doorkeeper. 

"Go  thou,  O  Warrior,"  he  said,  "to  the  king  and 
ask  if  at  his  court  there  is  one  man  who  combines 
skill  in  all  these  arts.  If  so,  I  will  turn  from  Tara  and 
trouble  thee  no  longer." 


86  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

The  doorkeeper,  though  really  admiring  Lugh's 
abilities,  resolved  not  to  make  the  young  man  aware 
of  this  impression  immediately.  Disappointment 
would  test  the  lad's  strength  of  character.  The  sen- 
tinel, therefore,  when  he  heard  the  stranger's  request, 
merely  inclined  his  head  slightly  and  said,  "  I  will  do 
that." 

Once  well  within  the  house,  he  hastened  to  the 
throne,  where  Nuada  was  waiting  in  gloomy  silence, 
for  the  king  and  his  councillors  had  not  been  able  to 
agree  upon  a  plan  of  campaign  against  the  Fomorians. 

"Hail  to  thee,  O  Nuada!"  cried  the  doorkeeper. 
"Help  has  come  to  us.  In  the  lis  without  waits  a 
youth  who  himself  possesses  knowledge  of  all  the  arts 
needed  to  defend  Eriu:  he  is  smith,  brazier,  leech, 
champion.  Well  may  he  be  named  Samildanach, 
Possessor  of  Many  Arts  at  the  Same  Time.  He  has 
come  to  offer  his  service  in  repelling  the  Fomorians." 

Instantly  the  king  was  alert.  "I  shall  question  and 
prove  him.  His  skill  may  be  less  than  thou  sayest. 
Bring  my  board  for  fidchille." 

Nuada  and  the  other  Dedannans  left  the  hall  and 
went  to  the  end  of  the  lis,  or  courtyard,  where  Lugh, 
in  company  with  the  remaining  doorkeeper,  was 
waiting.  The  young  man  saluted  the  king  with  be- 
coming reverence  and  modesty. 


THE  NEW  CHAMPION  87 

"O  Youth,  play  fidchille  with  me,"  said  Nuada 
abruptly. 

"I  will  indeed,"  responded  Lugh. 

King  and  stranger  took  their  places  at  the  board, 
and  the  Dedannans  pressed  closely  about  to  watch  the 
trial,  for  it  was  Nuada's  custom  to  test  in  this  game, 
which  was  like  chess,  the  intelligence  of  any  one  who 
wished  to  act  as  his  councillor.  The  king  settled  him- 
self, assuming  an  attitude  of  indifference;  Lugh  sat 
upright  with  parted  lips  and  flushed  cheeks.  The 
game  progressed  to  a  hard-fought  contest;  Nuada 
knotted  his  brows;  this  was  no  inexperienced  strip- 
ling, but  an  opponent  with  the  judgment  of  maturity. 
So  absorbed  in  the  play  was  the  entire  company  that 
the  occasional  buzzing  of  a  fly,  or  the  breathing  of 
spectators  and  players,  alone  disturbed  the  silence. 

Lugh  finally  pursued  Nuada's  king  over  almost  the 
entire  board;  at  last  the  youth  moved  his  castle,  and, 
looking  up  with  a  slight  smile,  said,  "  Checkmate,  O 
Sovereign  of  Eriu!" 

For  a  moment  Nuada  gazed  at  the  pieces,  a  trace  of 
disappointment  passing  over  his  face.  Then,  with  a 
laugh,  he  raised  his  head. 

"Fairly  hast  thou  won.  Thy  skill  surpasseth  that 
of  all  other  Dedannans,  for  none  has  ever  defeated  me 
at  fidchille  until  to-day.  Indeed,  thou  art  fit  to  be  my 


88  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

councillor  and  my  champion.  Never  has  a  man  like 
thee  entered  my  dun.  Come  straightway  across  the 
lis  and  into  the  great  hall." 

Amid  the  plaudits  of  the  company,  Lugh  then  re- 
vealed the  name  of  his  father,  and  the  fact  that  his 
uncles  had  sent  him  to  Tara.  Upon  hearing  this, 
Nuada  embraced  the  lad  tenderly. 

"No  less  could  I  have  expected  from  such  trust- 
worthy warriors.  By  none  couldst  thou  have  been 
better  taught.  Welcome  to  this  assembly;  thou  shalt 
be  a  rock  in  time  of  danger!" 

With  these  words  the  king  led  the  way  back  to  the 
hall  and  to  the  long  table  at  the  foot  of  the  throne. 
When  all  save  Lugh  were  seated,  there  was  still  a 
vacant  place  at  the  right  of  the  king,  to  which  Nuada 
pointed. 

"This  seat  was  set  aside  for  the  wisest  of  my 
learned  men,  who  is  absent  because  of  the  infirmities 
of  age,"  said  the  High  King.  "Well  mayst  thou  sit 
here,  for  if  thy  skill  with  weapons  is  the  equal  of  thy 
power  of  mind,  thou  art  destined  to  be  the  greatest  of 
the  Dedannans." 

Modestly,  Lugh  stood  before  the  empty  place  and 
said: 

"My  thanks  to  thee,  O  King,  and  to  thy  warriors, 
for  this  greeting  and  for  this  honor.  Rightly  hast 


THE  NEW  CHAMPION  89 

thou  said  that  I  have  not  yet  proved  my  strength  of 
body.  Let  one  of  thy  champions  now  test  me." 

"I  will  be  that  one,"  said  Ogma,  rising. 

In  the  middle  of  the  hall  was  a  huge  flat-topped 
boulder,  often  used  as  a  table,  which  had  required 
seven  men  for  its  placing.  Over  this  bent  Ogma.  The 
muscles  of  his  arms  and  legs  tightened  as  he  seized 
the  rock  and,  with  a  mighty  effort,  hurled  it,  tearing 
a  jagged  hole,  through  the  side  of  the  house.  A  mur- 
mur of  astonishment  went  round  the  assembly.  Lugh 
said  nothing,  but  ran  swiftly  from  the  room,  and  soon 
he  could  be  seen  outside  the  great  hole. 

"Stand  aside,  O  Men  of  the  Dedannans,  that  I 
may  restore  the  stone  to  its  place!"  he  cried. 

The  warriors  scattered  to  the  corners  of  the  room, 
as,  through  the  gaping  rent  in  the  wall,  the  boulder, 
thrown  with  accurate  aim,  fell  hurtling  into  its  origi- 
nal position.  The  entire  company  was  silent,  spell- 
bound. Then  a  mighty  cheer  acclaimed  the  man  who 
had  performed  this  marvelous  feat. 

After  Lugh  had  taken  the  seat  assigned  him,  one  of 
the  oldest  men  rose  and  said: 

"O  Nuada,  let  our  new  champion  play  the  harp  for 
us,  that  we  may  know  if  his  skill  in  music  be  as  great 
as  his  bodily  vigor." 

From  the  harp  given  him,  Lugh  brought  forth  a 


9o  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

haunting,  slumbrous  melody.  Drowsiness  overtook 
the  host,  and  it  is  said  that  they  fell  asleep  until  the 
same  hour  on  the  following  day,  when  they  awoke 
without  realizing  the  passage  of  time.  Lugh  played  a 
dirge,  and  there  was  not  a  warrior  whose  face  was  not 
wet  with  tears  nor  whose  voice  was  not  choked  with 
sobs.  Swiftly,  thereupon,  the  harper  sounded  a  merry 
tune,  and  straightway  the  warriors  were  laughing  and 
shouting  with  glee,  so  that  they  seemed  a  company  of 
children. 

Then  Lugh  laid  aside  the  harp,  and  the  king  or- 
dered a  great  feast,  which  lasted  many  hours.  After 
that  Nuada  stood  and  addressed  the  assembly: 

"O  Dedannans,  we  who  have  seen  the  powers  of 
Lugh  Samildanach  have  faith  that  he  will  deliver  us 
from  slavery  to  the  Fomorians.  We  would  now  have 
his  counsel,  and,  that  we  may  all  show  our  trust  in 
him,  I  would  for  a  time  yield  him  my  throne.  What 
say  ye,  OMen?" 

"Thou  speakest  wisely,  Nuada!"  they  cried. 

Then  Lugh  sat  upon  the  throne  and  was  treated  as 
a  king,  and  all  gave  heed  to  his  words,  and  he  proved 
skillful  in  planning  strategy  for  the  confusion  of  the 
enemy. 

At  the  end  of  thirteen  days  the  council  was  dis- 
missed, in  order  that  each  man  might  go  to  his  own 


THE  NEW  CHAMPION  91 

district  to  hearten  his  countrymen  with  news  of  the 
arrival  of  Lugh.  But  before  the  councillors  separated, 
the  learned  men  of  all  the  arts,  whether  farmers, 
smiths,  charioteers,  leeches,  judges,  were  directed  to 
assemble  in  two  weeks'  time  at  Girley.  Thither  went 
the  young  warrior,  taking  with  him  the  Dagda, 
Ogma,  Gobniu  the  Smith,  and  Diancecht  the  Leech, 
that  he  might  consult  with  them  privately. 


IX 

PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE 

"  Wizards,  braziers,  swordsmen, 
Lend  me  of  your  might, 
For  the  fate  of  Eriu 
Hangs  upon  a  fight." 

Thus  spake  King  Nuada, 
Royal,  earnest,  brave. 
Hearts  of  all  who  heard  him 
Leapt,  Eriu  to  save. 

HEN  the  wise  men  and  the  heroes  of 
the  Dedannans  had  gathered  at  Girley, 
Nuada  again  sat  upon  the  throne,  and 
at  his  right  hand  was  Lugh.  Then  the 
king  arose  and  spoke: 
"Councillors  and  heroes,  we  who  have  captured 
the  island  of  Eriu  must  soon  show  whether  we 
have  the  strength  to  hold  it.  Well  is  it  for  us  to 
remember  certain  things  in  order  that  we  may  have 
confidence  in  the  justice  of  our  cause.  We  have  tried 
to  make  an  alliance  with  the  Fomorians,  but  they 
would  not  live  in  peace  with  us;  instead,  they  laid 
waste  the  northern  coast  and  demanded  tribute,  which 
a  weak  king  was  willing  to  pay  them.  Bres  no  longer 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE  93 

spoke  the  will  of  our  people  when  he  agreed  to  this  de- 
mand. Now,  blemished  as  a  result  of  Corpre's  satire, 
and  unfit  to  rule,  he  has  fled  to  our  enemies,  and  they 
have  made  mighty  preparations  to  take  this  island 
and  to  restore  him.  The  former  king  has  shown  that 
he  has  a  Fomorian  rather  than  a  Dedannan  heart." 

There  was  a  rattle  of  arms,  and  a  hoarse  murmur  in 
approval  of  Nuada's  words,  before  he  continued: 

"O  Dedannans,  we  are,  nevertheless,  of  good  cour- 
age. The  presence  in  our  army  of  Lugh  of  the  Many 
Arts  will  surely  give  us  victory;  yet  we  must  not  rely 
upon  one  man,  but  upon  the  knowledge  and  the  skill 
of  each.  Let  Mathgen  the  Sorcerer,  therefore,  say 
what  he  will  do  to  aid  his  countrymen." 

Then  an  aged  man,  wearing  a  black  cloak  orna- 
mented with  gold  thread,  fixed  a  piercing  eye  upon 
Nuada,  and  said: 

"O  King,  if  the  forthcoming  battle  goes  against  the 
Dedannans,  I  will  cause  the  summits  of  the  moun- 
tains of  Eriu  to  fall  upon  the  Fomorians.  And  these 
are  the  names  of  the  twelve  chief  mountains  which 
will  fight  for  us:  the  Slieve  League,  the  Denna  Ulad, 
and  the  Mourne  Mountains,  and  Slieve  Bloom,  and 
Slieve  Snechtai,  Slieve  Mish  and  Slieve  Blai  and 
Memthenn  and  Slieve  Maccu  Belgodon,  and  the 
Curlew  Hills,  and  Cruachan  Aigle." 


94  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"The  gratitude  of  the  Dedannans  be  upon  thee,  O 
Mathgen,"  responded  the  king.  "Let  Drucht  the 
Cupbearer  say  what  power  he  and  his  fellows  will 
wield." 

"Not  hard  to  say,"  declared  Drucht.  "We  will 
bring  a  mighty  thirst  upon  the  Fomorians,  and  they 
shall  not  find  drink  to  quench  it.  Before  them  we  will 
place  the  twelve  chief  lakes  of  Eriu,  and  in  them  the 
Fomorians  shall  find  no  water,  in  Lough  Derg,  Lough 
Luimnigh,  Lough  Corrib,  Lough  Ri,  Lough  Mask, 
Strangford  Lough,  Lough  Laeg,  Lough  Neagh, 
Lough  Foyle,  Lough  Gara,  Lough  Reagh,  Marloch. 
Likewise,  if  the  enemy  betake  themselves  to  the 
twelve  chief  rivers  of  Eriu,  the  Bush,  Boyne,  Baa, 
Nem,  Lee,  Shannon,  Moy,  Sligo,  Erne,  Finn,  Liffey, 
Suir,  these  rivers  will  be  hidden,  so  that  there  shall 
not  be  a  drop  of  water  in  any  of  them.  On  the  other 
hand,  drink  shall  be  plentiful  for  the  Dedannans, 
although  they  remain  in  battle  to  the  end  of  seven 
years." 

"The  thanks  of  thy  countrymen  be  upon  thee," 
said  Nuada.  "We  have  not  yet  heard  from  all  the 
wizards  of  the  Dedannans.  Let  Figol,  Bechulle,  and 
ODianann  rise  up  before  me." 

Then  three  men  of  middle  age  advanced  before  the 
king.  In  their  hands  they  held  yew  wands.  The 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE  95 

cloaks  of  two  of  these  brothers  were  red;  that  of  the 
other  was  blue.  Each  cloak  was  beautifully  embroid- 
ered with  circles  of  gold  thread.  Figol,  the  eldest  of 
the  three  wizards,  spoke  for  all. 

"O  Nuada!"  he  said,  saluting  the  king.  "If  the 
coming  battle  fares  ill  for  the  Dedannans,  we  will  en- 
chant trees,  stones,  and  grass  that  they  may  seem  a 
host  in  arms  marching  against  the  Fomorians.  We 
will  cause  three  showers  of  fire  to  pour  into  the  faces 
of  the  enemy,  and  we  will  take  out  of  them  two  thirds 
of  their  valor  and  their  bravery  and  their  strength,  so 
that  they  shall  be  overthrown  by  our  might,  and  their 
heroes  slain.  But  with  every  breath  that  the  Dedan- 
nans draw,  our  countrymen  shall  have  increase  of 
strength  and  of  bravery,  and  they  shall  not  be  weary 
even  if  they  continue  fighting  for  seven  years." 

As  the  wizards  sat  down  amid  the  tumultuous  ap- 
proval of  the  entire  company,  the  Dagda  leaped  to 
his  feet  and  cried  enthusiastically,  "The  power  which 
ye  boast,  I  will  wield  it  all  myself!" 

A  great  shout  of  laughter  greeted  this  assertion. 
The  Dedannans,  nevertheless,  were  delighted  with 
the  hero's  resolve  to  do  his  best,  for  he  was  the  equal 
of  more  than  seven  ordinary  warriors. 

"Thou  art  the  Dagda,  Good  Hand,"  they  cried. 

"  I  will  take  the  side  of  the  men  of  Eriu  in  mutual 


96  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

smiting  and  destruction  and  wizardry,"  he  contin- 
ued. "As  many  as  hailstones  under  feet  of  herds  of 
horses  shall  be  the  bones  of  the  enemy  under  my  club 
when  we  meet  on  the  battle-field  of  Moytura." 

When  the  laughter  and  cheering  had  died  away, 
Lugh,  at  a  sign  from  the  king,  ordered  a  musical 
branch  hung  with  small  silver  bells  to  be  shaken  for 
silence. 

"Nobly,  O  Men  of  Art,"  said  Lugh,  "have  ye  of- 
fered your  skill  to  your  country;  but  all  have  not 
yet  spoken.  There  are  some  with  whom  I  have  held 
council  already,  and  they  have  given  me  great  cause 
for  joy.  I  would  have  all  tell  their  purposes.  Thou, 
O  Credne  the  Brazier,  what  wilt  thou  do?" 

"  Not  hard  for  me  to  say,"  answered  Credne.  "  Riv- 
ets for  spears,  hilts  for  swords,  bosses  and  rims  for 
shields  —  I  will  supply  them  all." 

"And  thou,  O  Luchtaine,  what  wilt  thou  do?" 

"Whatever  shields  and  javelin  shafts  shall  be 
needed  during  battle,  I  will  supply,"  promptly  re- 
plied Luchtaine. 

"Next  I  call  upon  Gobniu,  smith  and  carpenter." 

"O  King  and  Warriors,  though  the  men  of  Eriu  be 
in  battle  to  the  end  of  seven  years,  whatever  spear 
parts  from  its  shaft,  or  sword  breaks,  I  shall  mend  it 
forthwith.  No  spear-point  which  my  hand  shall  forge 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE  97 

shall  make  a  missing  cast;  no  skin  which  it  pierces 
shall  taste  life  thereafter.  That  much  cannot  be  done 
by  Dulb,  smith  of  the  Fomorians." 

When  the  cheering  which  this  statement  brought 
forth  had  subsided,  Lugh  turned  to  Diancecht. 

"O  Diancecht,  what  power  canst  thou  wield?" 

"Not  hard  to  say,"  answered  the  leech.  "Not  a 
man  shall  be  wounded  but  I  will  make  him  whole  for 
battle  on  the  morrow,  unless  his  head  be  cut  off  or  his 
brains  spilled  or  his  spinal  marrow  severed." 

"And  thou,  O  Corpre,  poet  of  the  Dedannans,  what 
wilt  thou  do?" 

"I  will  stand  upon  one  foot,  stretch  out  one  arm, 
close  one  eye,  and  recite  a  glam  dicinn,  a  rhyme  call- 
ing a  curse  upon  the  Fomorians." 

"O  Ogma,  what  wilt  thou  do  in  the  battle?" 

"That  is  not  hard  to  say,"  was  the  answer.  "I  will 
concern  myself  with  repelling  the  High  King  of 
the  Fomorians  and  his  bodyguard  of  twenty-seven 
picked  men." 

Soon  after  this,  Nuada  dismissed  the  assembly, 
bidding  all  the  men  in  Eriu  capable  of  bearing  arms 
meet  him  in  a  year's  time  on  Samain.  This  day,  now 
called  All  Saints',  was  a  great  pagan  festival.  Every 
warrior  was  directed  to  practice  meanwhile  with  his 
weapons  and  to  see  that  his  equipment  should  be  in 


98  BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

proper  order  for  the  trials  of  war.  Nuada  planned  to 
allow  the  Fomorians  to  land  without  opposition,  and 
on  Samain  to  lead  his  army  against  them,  for  he  hoped 
in  this  way  to  destroy  the  enemy  all  in  one  battle. 

There  was  then  in  Eriu  a  poetess  who  marched 
with  her  countrymen  to  war,  by  her  chants  inspiring 
them  to  valorous  deeds.  This  Amazon  was  called  the 
Morrigu.  She  was  unlike  other  Dedannan  women, 
who  were  fair,  for  she  had  black  hair,  a  swarthy  skin, 
flashing  black  eyes,  and  a  nose  so  hooked  it  suggested 
a  beak.  She  had  the  power  of  prophecy.  To  consult 
this  fierce  woman  went  the  Dagda  immediately  after 
attending  the  council  of  the  king.  She  told  him  that 
the  Fomorians  would  land  in  Connaught,  and  that 
the  best  place  to  meet  them  would  be  on  the  Plain  of 
Moytura,  where,  some  years  before,  the  Dedannan 
host  had  won  their  great  victory  over  the  Fir  Bolg. 
This  augury  the  Dagda  carried  to  Nuada,  who  felt 
that  it  would  be  of  good  omen  to  encounter  a  second 
enemy  where  he  had  vanquished  the  first. 

The  gathering  on  the  Feast  of  Samain  was  a  bril- 
liant sight.  The  flash  of  highly  polished  weapons 
set  off  the  various  colors  of  kilts  and  cloaks.  Every 
man  of  the  host  wore  new  garments  and  carried  new 
arms.  At  the  head  of  the  troops  was  placed  a  band  of 


PREPARATIONS  FOR  BATTLE  99 

Fir  Bolg  pipers,  for  the  Dedannans  had  adopted  the 
custom  of  having  bagpipes  played  at  all  assemblies 
and  upon  entering  battle.  Since  none  were  better 
players  than  these  earlier  inhabitants  of  Eriu,  the 
privilege  of  piping  was  usually  assigned  to  them. 
The  wild  music  throbbed  on  the  sharp  autumn  air  as 
the  warriors  marched  past  Nuada,  who  stood  with 
Lugh  at  his  side;  the  soldiers  brandished  their  spears 
and  cheered  vociferously  when  they  came  abreast  of 
their  sovereign  and  their  champion.  The  numbers  were 
carefully  counted  by  a  nobleman,  appointed  for  the 
purpose,  who  reported  to  the  king  that  the  army  con- 
sisted of  eighteen  thousand  men,  divided  into  thirds 
of  six  thousand  each.  At  the  head  of  two  of  these 
thirds  were  Ogma  and  the  Dagda;  the  king  himself 
was  to  lead  the  remaining  division.  It  was  pointed 
out  to  Lugh  that  his  advice  would  be  of  even  more 
value  than  his  presence  in  the  conflict;  that  if  he  were 
seriously  injured  he  could  not  be  replaced  by  any 
other  councillor.  He  therefore  consented  to  keep  out 
of  the  righting,  but  so  half-heartedly  did  he  yield  to 
persuasion,  that  the  king  assigned  a  special  tent  on 
the  hillside  for  the  young  man's  occupancy  and  safe 
observation  of  the  battle,  and  he  appointed  nine  men 
to  act  as  a  guard  and  to  keep  the  champion  from 
rushing  heedlessly  into  the  fray. 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA 

The  battle  flows  like  summer  tide 

Across  the  trampled  plain; 
Sword-blades  sing  like  winter  wind: 

Javelins  flash  like  rain. 

T  the  time  of  the  hosting  of  the  Dedan- 
nans,  the  Fomorians  were  landing  on 
the  western  shores  of  Eriu.   They  were 
elated  that  no  one  came  to  meet  them, 
for  they  imagined  their  enemies  too  much 
frightened  to  offer  resistance. 

"We  shall  march  unopposed  to  the  hill 
and  the  palace  of  Tara,  with  the  Dedannans  in  hid- 
ing!" cried  Balor  boastfully. 

Bres  smiled  half-heartedly;  he  was  distrustful  of 
the  desolate  countryside. 

"Rejoice  not  too  soon,  O  King,"  he  answered, 
"for  the  Dedannans  are  brave  men,  skilled  in  the 
stratagems  of  war.  Think  not  that  we  shall  remain 
in  this  land  without  reddening  our  swords." 

The  disembarking  of  the  Fomorians  had  been 
watched  by  scouts  of  the  men  of  Eriu,  and  a  messen- 
ger rode  at  once  to  the  king,  arriving  at  Girley  on  the 
night  of  Samain.  Immediately,  the  Dedannan  lead- 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     101 

ers  were  called  together,  and  it  was  agreed  to  send  the 
Dagda  to  parley  with  the  enemy.  The  army  would 
follow  him  to  await  the  invaders  at  the  Plain  of  Moy- 
tura,  which  was  on  the  easiest  route  to  Tara. 

The  champion  hastened  towards  the  Fomorians;  he 
was  quickly  brought  into  the  presence  of  Balor,  Elo- 
tha,  and  Bres.  The  feelings  with  which  the  late  king 
and  the  Dagda  looked  upon  each  other  were  with 
difficulty  controlled:  Bres,  however,  tried  to  appear 
unconcerned;  he  felt  that  he  had  the  upper  hand,  for 
he  was  marching  with  the  greatest  host  that  had  ever 
invaded  Eriu,  and  the  allied  kings  were  pledged  to  set 
him  again  upon  the  throne,  despite  laws  and  possible 
armed  resistance.  The  Dagda  decided  to  be  wary, 
for  his  object  was  to  delay  the  impending  battle  as 
long  as  he  could. 

"O  Kings  of  the  Fomorians,"  he  said,  "well  do  we 
know  of  the  vast  army  which  has  come  to  enforce 
tribute.  Our  High  King  has  already  summoned  his 
councillors  to  meet  him,  and  he  has  directed  his  war- 
riors not  to  oppose  your  landing." 

"Ye  will  be  wise  to  pay  promptly  what  is  owing  for 
the  past  as  well  as  what  we  demand  for  the  present," 
Balor  replied,  encouraged  by  the  champion's  confes- 
sion that  the  Dedannan  soldiers  had  been  withdrawn 
from  the  coast  at  the  order  of  Nuada. 


io2         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"They  are,  in  truth,  afraid,"  thought  the  Fomorian 
king;  adding  aloud,  "Never,  O  Champion,  have  so 
many  trained  men  joined  in  one  expedition  as  are 
now  come  from  Tory  Island.  The  fleet  that  brought 
us  was  a  bridge  of  boats  from  our  land  to  Eriu." 

"Well  is  it  that  a  messenger  has  been  sent  to  tell  us 
the  tribute  is  being  made  ready,  and  it  were  ill-done 
should  we  treat  a  herald  inhospitably,"  interposed 
Elotha,  who  did  not  like  Balor's  vaunting,  and  who 
remembered  also  the  story  of  the  indignity  which 
Bres  had  put  upon  the  Dagda. 

"Thou  shalt  feast  with  us  to-night,"  added  the 
former  king,  with  the  evident  intention  of  making 
tardy  amends  for  his  previous  behavior. 

In  spite  of  the  Dedr/anan  hero's  strength,  and  his 
ability  with  weapons,  he  had  one  weakness  —  the 
vice  of  gluttony;  his  eyes  sparkled  when  he  heard  the 
Fomorian  invitation,  and  he  cried,  "I  will  sup  with 
you,  indeed!" 

Elotha  and  Bres  were  not  inspired  entirely  by  the 
desire  to  be  gracious  to  the  Dagda;  they  knew  of  the 
champion's  liking  for  good  food  and  drink,  and  they 
had  at  the  back  of  their  minds  the  hope  that  he  might 
unfit  himself  to  fight.  Special  preparations,  accord- 
ingly, were  made  to  feed  the  Dedannan  envoy,  who 
was  of  giant  size  —  nearly  as  large  as  Balor  himself. 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     103 

The  Fomorian  king's  own  cauldron  was  brought  and 
set  upon  the  fire,  and  in  this  great  pot  was  prepared  a 
porridge  of  fourscore  gallons  of  new  milk,  into  which 
were  thrown  goats,  sheep,  and  swine.  While  the 
broth  was  cooking,  the  Dagda  took  a  huge  ladle  and 
began  to  eat. 

"Never  shalt  thou  reproach  us  with  lack  of  hospi- 
tality," said  Balor;  adding,  in  a  half-joking  tone,  "If 
thou  dost  not  consume  all  of  this,  thou  shalt  be  put  to 
death.  Eat  thy  fill,  therefore!' 

"Good  food  this,  if  its  broth  attain  what  its  taste 
attains!"  exclaimed  the  Dagda,  helping  himself 
greedily. 

The  Fomorians  ate  little  of  the  mixture  themselves, 
so  amused  were  they  in  watching  the  Dagda,  who, 
when  he  had  dipped  up  all  that  he  could  with  the  la- 
dle, tilted  the  cauldron  as  if  it  were  a  mug  and  drained 
it.  He  then  bade  good-night  to  those  who  had  enter- 
tained him  and  started  for  the  tent  where  he  was  to 
sleep. 

Although  he  had  eaten  and  drunk  so  much  that  his 
brain  was  clouded  and  he  walked  unsteadily,  he  de- 
clined offers  of  assistance.  In  the  darkness,  he  wan- 
dered from  the  camp,  dragging  after  him  his  huge 
club,  which  cut  in  the  earth  a  furrow  so  deep  that  it 
was  later  said  to  be  fit  for  the  boundary  ditch  of  a 


io4         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

province.  At  last,  he  came  to  the  seashore,  to  a  place 
called  the  Strand  of  Eba,  where,  overcome  by  drowsi- 
ness, he  lay  down  in  the  sand  and,  pulling  his  brown 
cloak  over  him,  he  slept.  He  did  not  waken  until  the 
afternoon  of  the  next  day,  when  he  was  much  aston- 
ished and  mortified  to  find  how  he  had  strayed  to  the 
edge  of  the  sea.  He  tried  to  discover  the  Fomorian 
camp,  but  in  the  early  morning  the  invaders  had 
pushed  forward  on  their  march  to  Tara,  and  the 
Dagda  saw  only  trampled  grass  and  ashes  of  the  fires 
kindled  the  preceding  night  by  the  now  vanished 
army.  With  difficulty,  he  made  iiis  way  to  the  Plain 
of  Moytura  and  safely  regained  the  Dedannan  forces. 
Of  course  he  had  little  to  report,  and  he  was  well  up- 
braided by  Nuada. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Fomorians,  misled  by  the 
news  that  the  men  of  Eriu  were  in  council  concerning 
the  tribute,  continued  in  the  delusion  that  they  would 
meet  with  no  resistance.  Their  army,  therefore, 
marched  in  leisurely  fashion  to  the  Plain  of  Moytura, 
intending  to  pitch  camp.  Great  was  their  surprise  to 
find  awaiting  them  the  Dedannans  drawn  up  in  line 
of  battle. 

"True  were  my  prophecies,  O  Indech,"  said  Bres  to 
the  son  of  De  Domnan.  "The  enemy  will  risk  a  trial 
of  arms." 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     105 

"We  will  grant  them  this,  and  their  bones  shall  be 
broken  unless  they  pay  their  tribute." 

Although,  upon  seeing  the  Dedannans,  the  invad- 
ers were  taken  aback,  they  quickly  formed  for  action 
and  were  exhorted  by  their  leaders.  Every  chief  and 
champion  had  been  supplied  with  thick  armor  of 
leather,  and  a  helmet  of  the  same,  reenforced  with 
findrinny;  each  soldier  had  a  new  spear,  sword,  and 
shield. 

The  Dedannans  decided  to  let  their  opponents  at- 
tack; therefore,  after  Nuada  and  Lugh  had  briefly  ex- 
horted the  army,  every  man  steeled  himself  to  meet 
the  shock  of  onset. 

When  Nuada  saw  the  Fomorians  rushing  upon  him, 
shouting  their  battle-cry,  he  said  to  his  charioteer, 
"Surely  the  meeting  with  the  enemy  will  be  a  striking 
of  the  head  against  a  cliff,  a  hand  in  a  nest  of  serpents, 
a  face  close  to  the  fire." 

At  that  moment  the  Fomorians  advanced  within 
range  of  a  spear,  and  the  air  was  soon  thick  with  fly- 
ing javelins.  Then  the  warriors  drew  their  swords,  and 
there  was  a  sound  of  metal  scraping  against  metal,  of 
wood  splintering,  when  shields  or  spears  were  hacked 
to  pieces.  Mingled  with  this  din  were  the  heavy 
breathing  of  struggling  men  and  the  groans  of  the 
wounded.  Many  Dedannans  who  not  long  before 


io6         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

had  been  as  spirited  as  thoroughbred  horses  were 
soon  quiet  in  the  stall  of  death.  But  the  Fomorians 
paid  dearly  for  this  havoc:  there  fell  two  of  their  num- 
ber for  nearly  every  Dedannan  slain.  As  in  almost 
every  battle,  a  few  men  ran  away;  they  were,  how- 
ever, killed  instantly  by  braver  comrades.  It  is  said, 
therefore,  that  in  this  conflict  pride  and  shame  were 
side  by  side.  Fury  rose  between  the  opposing  forces. 
The  whistling  of  swords  and  the  noise  of  blows  be- 
came incessant.  The  grass  grew  so  slippery  with  blood 
that  men  falling  could  not  rise  again,  but  sat  oppo- 
site one  another  with  their  feet  touching.  If  they  lost 
their  swords,  they  clutched  at  one  another's  throats 
with  bare  hands,  and  often  beat  their  heads  together 
until  one  man  overcame  the  other. 

In  and  out  of  the  Dedannan  ranks  sped  the  Mor- 
rigu,  shouting  words  of  encouragement  and  stanzas  of 
a  war  song: 

Kings  arise  to  the  battle, 

Carrying  death  in  their  hands, 
The  terrible  host  of  Dedannans, 

Guarding  their  beautiful  lands. 

Dreadful  the  wrath  of  the  warriors, 

Deadly  the  bite  of  their  swords; 
Their  shields  are  like  rocks  of  the  headland 

Against  the  Fomorian  hordes. 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     107 

Sweet  are  the  waters  of  Eriu. 

Pleasant  her  hillsides  and  plains, 
The  scent  of  her  trees  and  her  blossoms, 

Her  winds  and  her  mists  and  her  rains. 

Would  ye  hold  them  in  peace,  O  Dedannans? 

Smite,  then,  till  the  foemen  fall  back, 
And  the  ships  of  the  foemen  are  fleeing, 

Tossed  home  with  the  sea-driven  wrack. 

Once  the  fierce  woman  came  to  where  Lugh  was 
straining  his  eyes  to  watch  the  surging  throng,  or 
pacing  up  and  down,  irritated  that  he  could  take  no 
part  in  the  press. 

"How  fares  the  battle?"  he  cried. 

"Well  for  the  Dedannans,  though  it  is  shivering, 
crowded,  and  bloody.  The  river  is  clogged  with 
corpses." 

Behind  the  warriors  of  the  Dedannan  army  worked 
Gobniu  the  Smith,  Luchtaine  the  Wright,  Credne  the 
Brazier,  Diancecht  and  Miach  the  Leeches.  The  aid 
which  they  gave  their  countrymen  in  the  forefront  of 
the  fighting  almost  justified  the  boasting  before  the 
battle  began.  The  forges  of  Gobniu  and  his  assistants 
were  kept  glowing;  there  was  heard  the  constant 
clink  of  metal  hammering  metal  as  twisted  sword- 
blades  and  spear-heads  were  straightened  or  new  ones 
were  made.  Gobniu  was  able  to  forge  a  sword  with 


io8          BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

three  blows,  such  was  his  skill,  and  Luchtaine  made 
spear-shafts  with  three  turns  of  the  wood,  setting  them 
straightway  in  the  rings  of  the  spears.  With  no  less 
speed  Credne  made  the  rivets  to  hold  the  spear-heads 
to  the  shafts.  As  for  Diancecht  and  Miach,  who 
were  assisted  by  Armed,  Miach's  sister,  in  caring  for 
the  wounded,  they  had  stationed  themselves  by  a 
spring  which  they  called  Slane,  or  Healing,  whither 
they  carried  every  one  who  was  seriously  hurt.  The 
patient  was  promptly  lowered  into  the  spring,  or 
splashed  with  water,  while  Diancecht  and  Miach 
chanted  powerful  spells.  Thus  the  wounded  were 
enabled  to  recover  so  that  they  could  fight  on  the 
following  morning. 

Nightfall  brought  an  end  to  the  first  day  of  battle 
without  a  decisive  victory,  although  the  Dedannans 
had  a  slight  advantage.  The  Fomorians  were  cha- 
grined; they  had  hoped  to  win  in  short  order,  and 
they  now  suspected  that  the  stout  resistance  of  the 
enemy  was  due  to  an  organization  of  skilled  work- 
men in  the  rear.  This,  if  it  existed,  the  invaders  de- 
termined to  destroy,  and  they  chose  for  the  task  Rua- 
dan,  a  champion  of  Dedannan  ancestry  and  therefore 
distinguished  by  light  hair  and  blue  eyes,  so  that  he 
might  easily  disguise  himself  as  a  Dedannan  and  work 
his  way  behind  the  enemy  lines.  He  was  ordered  to 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     109 

seek  out  and  slay  the  master  workmen  and  not  to  re- 
appear until  all  were  killed. 

When  the  battle  was  resumed  on  the  morrow,  the 
Fomorian  spy  managed  to  skirt  the  flank  of  the  op- 
posing forces  and  to  make  his  way  in  the  direction 
from  which  he  saw  the  gleam  of  fire  and  heard  the 
steady  blows  of  hammers.  He  soon  found  Gobniu  and 
his  helpers.  Throwing  away  his  spear,  Ruadan  ap- 
proached. 

"Hail,  O  Smith  of  the  Smiths!  I  have  come  to  thee 
for  aid,  since  my  casting-spear  was  lost  yesterday  and 
my  thrusting-spear  this  morning.  Make  for  me  a  new 
spear,  that  I  may  help  as  I  should  in  bringing  success 
to  our  people." 

Gobniu  was  suspicious.  He  did  not  recognize  the 
voice  or  the  appearance  of  the  man  who  spoke  to 
him;  moreover,  the  stranger  had  not  addressed  him 
by  name.  Gobniu  decided  to  be  cautious,  though  to 
seem  friendly. 

"  Make,  O  Crom,  a  spear  for  this  warrior,"  said  he, 
turning  to  a  woman  who  was  one  of  his  assistants. 

"I  will  make  it,"  she  replied,  blowing  up  her  fire 
and  working  swiftly. 

"Marvelous  the  speed  of  those  who  help  thee," 
continued  Ruadan.  "  I  doubt  if  the  Fomorians  have 
such  work-people." 


no         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"We  have  need  of  quickness  if  we  would  defeat  the 
enemy,"  Gobniu  answered;  adding,  "Knowest  thou 
the  whereabouts  of  Lugh,  our  champion?" 

By  this  question  the  Dedannan  set  a  trap.  The 
smith  was  well  aware  that  Lugh  was  not  taking  part 
in  the  fighting.  Before  the  stranger  could  reply,  the 
woman  handed  him  the  finished  spear. 

"My  thanks,  O  Crom,"  said  Ruadan;  then  he  an- 
swered Gobniu's  question:  "Lugh  is  in  the  van  of  the 
Dedannans  and  the  Fomorians  fall  before  him  like 
leaves  before  a  high  wind." 

"Here  is  a  spy  of  the  enemy! "  shouted  the  smith. 
"To  arms!" 

Ruadan  knew  at  once  that  his  position  was  critical 
for  Gobniu,  dropping  his  hammer,  reached  for  his 
sword,  and  the  other  workmen  ran  for  their  weapons. 
The  Fomorian  drew  back  his  arm  and  hurled  at  the 
smith,  as  though  it  were  a  slender  javelin,  the  heavy 
thrusting-spear  just  given  him.  It  pierced  the  Dedan- 
nan in  the  shoulder,  quivering  there  until,  with  a 
mighty  tug,  Gobniu  wrenched  it  out  and  flung  it 
back  at  Ruadan.  The  thick  barb  shattered  the  skull 
of  the  Fomorian  as  though  it  were  the  bark  of  a  tree, 
and  he  fell  lifeless.  Later,  the  body  was  carried  to  the 
enemy's  camp,  where  Ruadan's  mother  came  to  raise 
her  voice  in  weeping  and  wailing,  that  is,  in  keening, 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     in 

her  son.  And  this  was  said  to  be  the  first  time  that 
keening  was  ever  heard  in  Ireland. 

Gobniu  was  hurried  to  the  spring  and  delivered 
into  the  hands  of  Diancecht,  who  healed  him  without 
difficulty. 

In  the  meantime,  the  conflict  was  not  going  so  suc- 
cessfully for  the  Dedannans  as  on  the  previous  day; 
the  invaders  were  fighting  with  furious  desperation, 
and  the  defenders  of  Eriu  suffered  one  particularly 
serious  disaster.  Nuada's  chariot  was  overturned  and 
lost  a  wheel,  so  that  the  king  was  compelled  to  con- 
tinue the  battle  on  foot.  Moreover,  the  handle  of  his 
irresistible  sword  worked  loose,  and  the  weapon  had 
to  be  sent  back  to  Gobniu  for  repairs.  The  king,  bor- 
rowing an  ordinary  sword,  pressed  forward,  but,  at 
this  untoward  moment,  Balor  managed  to  cut  his  way 
through  the  Dedannan  forces  until  he  crossed  swords 
with  Nuada.  The  Fomorians  and  the  Dedannans  in 
the  vicinity  stopped  fighting  to  watch  the  duel  be- 
tween the  sovereigns,  which  was,  however,  of  short 
duration,  for  the  untrustworthy  blade  of  Nuada  sud- 
denly snapped  near  the  hilt,  and,  before  his  country- 
men could  come  to  his  rescue,  their  ruler  was  slain. 

Lugh  had  seen  from  his  point  of  vantage  the  mis- 
fortune to  the  king's  chariot,  and  had  determined  to 
go  to  the  assistance  of  Nuada;  by  a  ruse  he  had  eluded 


ii2         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

the  nine  men  of  his  bodyguard:  calling  his  charioteer, 
he  cried,  "  Come  with  me,  O  Domnall.  The  sun  is  hot 
and  I  would  rest."  The  other  men  paid  little  atten- 
tion to  this,  for  they  were  so  absorbed  in  watching  the 
battle  that  they  crowded  to  the  edge  of  the  hill  with 
their  backs  to  the  tent  which  Lugh  and  Domnall 
entered. 

"Long,  O  Domnall,  hast  thou  served  me,  and  I 
shall  place  my  whole  trust  in  thee,"  said  Lugh.  "No 
longer  will  I  stay  idle  here.  I  have  made  what  plans 
I  can  for  the  battle;  the  issue  rests  now  with  Fate  and 
the  gods.  I  must  take  sword  and  spear  and  go  myself 
to  join  the  Tuatha  De  Dannan;  yet  I  cannot  have 
thee  yoke  my  chariot,  for  the  guard  would  hinder 
thee.  Lend  me  thy  cloak;  while  the  warriors  eagerly 
watch  the  fight,  I  shall  escape  down  the  side  of  the 
hill.  If  a  guard  catch  a  glimpse  of  me  he  will  think  I 
am  thou,  gone  upon  a  message.  Remain  here  till  a 
shout  tells  thee  I  am  with  our  army.  Do  ye  all  then 
hasten  to  me,  for  in  truth  I  believe  ye  will  be  glad  of 
the  fray!" 

"Joyfully  will  I  aid  thee,  for  well  do  I  know  of  what 
help  thy  prowess  will  be,"  replied  the  charioteer. 

Swiftly  Lugh  changed  his  cloak  and  raised  the  tent- 
flap.  The  nine  men  were  still  intently  watching  the 
struggle  between  Balor  and  Nuada,  so  that  the  youth 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     113 

ran  down  the  hill  unseen.  As  the  eager  champion 
drew  near  the  Dedannan  host,  there  burst  from  a 
thousand  throats  a  wild  cry  of  rage  and  grief  for  the 
death  of  the  king. 

A  moment  of  panic  followed  the  slaying  of  Nuada; 
the  Fomorians,  seeing  signs  of  confusion  among  their 
enemies,  were  preparing  for  a  fresh  onslaught  when 
suddenly  there  came  a  shout:  "O  Men  of  Eriu,  help 
is  at  hand!  Lugh  of  the  Many  Arts,  champion  of 
champions,  is  come,  and  the  fury  of  battle  is  upon 
him!" 

All  eyes  turned  to  where  Lugh  was  racing  towards 
his  countrymen.  So  easily  he  ran  that  he  would  not 
have  brushed  dew  from  grass;  his  speed  was  such 
that  no  bird  could  have  outdistanced  him;  his  long 
hair  and  his  cloak  floated  behind  him;  in  his  right 
hand  he  brandished  a  casting-spear;  above  the  si- 
lence of  the  two  armies  who  paused  to  look  at  him, 
rose  the  sound  of  his  war-cry,  "Eriu  co  brath!  Eriu 
forever!" 

The  warriors  of  the  Dedannans  took  up  and  re- 
peated the  shout,  and  their  courage  returned.  Every 
man  now  resolved  to  die  protecting  his  country  rather 
than  to  live  in  the  bondage  of  paying  tribute. 

As  Lugh  came  within  spear-cast  of  the  Fomorians, 
his  weapon  whizzed  towards  them,  killing  five  of  their 


ii4         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

best  soldiers.  In  a  flash,  the  youth  recalled  the  story 
of  his  father's  death,  and  the  remembrance  kindled 
the  desire  of  revenge.  Standing  on  one  foot,  whirling 
his  sword  above  his  head,  Lugh  shouted  alternately 
cheering  words  to  his  friends,  defiance  to  his  foes.  He 
closed  one  eye  to  watch  narrowly  the  bright  blade  as 
it  hummed  through  the  air;  he  ran  round  the  De- 
dannans,  who  greeted  him  with  delight;  he  plunged 
forward,  cutting  and  slashing,  irresistible.  Ever  he 
worked  his  way  towards  the  High  King  of  the  Fomo- 
rians.  Balor's  huge  bulk  rose  above  the  foaming  tur- 
moil. He  was,  at  this  instant,  intending  to  follow  his 
victory  over  Nuada  with  a  death-dealing  glance  that 
would  destroy  all  his  enemies,  and  he  was  roaring  at 
his  gilly  to  raise  the  lid  of  the  baleful  eye.  Lugh 
hoped  to  get  behind  the  Fomorian  and  attack  him  be- 
fore the  squire  could  obey,  but  Balor  had  seen  the 
Dedannan  felling  enemies  like  dried  grass,  and  he 
cried  again  to  the  terrified  gilly,  "Lift  up  mine  eye- 
lid, O  Boy!" 

Not  yet  near  enough  to  reach  Balor  with  his  sword, 
Lugh  seized  a  sling  from  the  hand  of  a  dead  man, 
fitted  the  stone,  which  had  rolled  only  a  few  inches 
away,  and  hurled  it.  The  missile  caught  the  dreaded 
eye  just  as  it  was  opening,  and  carried  it  through  the 
king's  head  with  the  ease  of  a  knife  piercing  a  leaf. 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA     115 

Like  a  tree  shivered  by  a  thunderbolt,  Balor  toppled 
and  fell.  A  groan  ran  along  the  Fomorian  ranks,  a 
cheer  along  the  Dedannans'.  The  flags  of  the  de- 
fenders of  Eriu  waved  exultantly. 

Disheartened,  the  invading  army  now  began  to 
give  way,  and  the  retreat  soon  changed  to  a  rout.  A 
few  small  bands  had  enough  discipline  to  keep  to- 
gether, to  escape  in  orderly  fashion  towards  their 
ships,  but  most  of  the  Fomorians  threw  away  sword 
and  shield  in  their  haste  to  flee  from  their  enemies, 
who  were  sweeping  through  the  stragglers  and  cut- 
ting them  down  by  the  hundred.  However,  the  pur- 
suit was  halted  by  the  desire  of  the  victors  to  collect 
the  vast  amount  of  booty  that  littered  the  field. 

Such  had  been  the  power  of  Lugh's  cast  that,  be- 
fore its  force  was  spent,  the  stone  which  slew  Balor 
felled  twenty-seven  men  behind  him.  Two  of  them 
were  thrown  violently  against  Indech,  who,  in  the 
confusion  of  the  fighting,  did  not  realize  by  whom  he 
had  been  assailed. 

"Let  my  poet,  Loch  Half-Green,  be  summoned," 
he  cried  in  fury. 

The  poet,  dressed  in  the  customary  green  cloak 
which  gave  him  his  name,  hastened  to  the  king  and 
saluted  him. 

"Make  known  to  me  who  flung  the  cast  that 


ii6         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

struck  these  men,"  commanded  Indech,  pointing  to 
the  lifeless  warriors.  "Slay  him  if  thou  canst!" 

"Never  shall  he  escape  my  sword!"  answered 
Loch,  hurrying  away. 

He  soon  found  Lugh,  and  the  two  men  fought  des- 
perately, but  Loch  was  no  match  for  the  Dedannan. 
When  the  Fomorian  saw  there  was  no  hope  of  winning 
the  combat,  he  yielded,  and  asked  for  quarter. 

"I  will  spare  thee,"  said  Lugh,  "if  thou  canst  tell 
me  the  number  of  the  slain  among  thy  people." 

"As  to  the  number  of  common  soldiers  and  of  the 
artisans  who  came  in  company  with  the  great  army 
—  for  every  champion  and  every  over-king  and  every 
high  chieftain  of  the  Fomorians  came  with  his  host  to 
the  battle  —  only  a  few  of  the  servants  of  the  over- 
kings  can  be  reckoned;  these  I  number  as  eight  hun- 
dred and  forty.  As  to  the  men  who  did  not  reach  the 
heart  of  the  battle,  they  cannot  be  counted  until  are 
numbered  stars  of  heaven  and  sands  of  sea  and  flakes 
of  snow  and  blades  of  grass  under  feet  of  herds  and 
waves  of  the  sea  in  a  storm,  which  are  the  white- 
maned  horses  of  the  lord  of  the  sea,  the  son  of  Lir. 
But  I  know  the  number  of  over-kings  and  high  nobles 
of  the  Fomorians  who  have  fallen,  even  eighty-five 
thousand  four  hundred  and  sixteen.  Among  them,  O 
Chief  of  Chiefs,  thou  hast  slain  Balor.  There  was  a 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA      117 

prophecy  of  our  druids  that  the  High  King  should 
perish  by  the  hand  of  his  own  grandson,  but  the  gods 
have  given  him  no  heir  save  a  daughter  who  died  long 
ago,  and  he  is  slain  by  the  blow  of  a  stranger." 

"  Balor  has  paid  with  his  life  for  that  of  his  daugh- 
ter's husband,  my  father!"  replied  Lugh. 

"Then  is  the  prophecy  fulfilled!  O  Chieftain,  never 
shall  Eriu  again  be  plundered  by  the  Fomorians  from 
now  until  the  Day  of  Doom!"  added  Loch. 

"Go  in  peace,"  was  the  Dedannan's  answer. 

Saluting  his  former  adversary  the  poet  quickly  dis- 
appeared in  the  direction  of  the  Fomorian  retreat. 

Though  most  of  the  royal  leaders  of  the  invading 
army  had  been  slaughtered,  one  of  them,  Bres,  the 
blemished  king,  was  still  alive.  He  was  almost  sur- 
rounded, and  trying  desperately  to  keep  the  Dedan- 
nans  in  check.  With  a  shout  of  joy  Lugh  came  up  to 
him. 

"Now,  O  traitor  to  thy  kingship,  thine  end  has 
come!" 

"My  saving  would  be  better  than  my  killing," 
said  Bres,  determined,  if  he  could  not  preserve  his 
life  by  his  skill  with  weapons,  to  save  it  by  his  wits. 

"What  would  result  from  that?"  asked  Lugh. 

"The  kine  of  Eriu  should  be  ever  in  milk." 

"I  will  set  this  forth  to  one  of  our  wise  men,"  said 


n8         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

Lugh,  lowering  his  sword  and  calling  for  a  druid,  who 
soon  joined  him. 

"Shall  Bres  be  spared  if  he  gives  constant  milk  to 
the  kine  of  Eriu?"  Lugh  inquired. 

"  Bres  shall  not  be  spared,"  was  the  answer,  "  for  he 
has  no  power  over  the  age  of  the  kine  nor  over  their 
offspring." 

"This  does  not  save  thee,"  said  Lugh  to  Bres.  "Is 
there  aught  else  thou  canst  propose?" 

"There  is,  in  truth.  Thy  people  shall,  for  my  sav- 
ing, reap  a  harvest  in  every  quarter  of  the  year." 

Lugh  turned  again  to  the  druid  and  asked,  "Shall 
Bres  be  spared  because  of  a  harvest  of  corn  every 
quarter  for  the  men  of  Eriu?" 

Again  the  druid  shook  his  head,  and  replied: 

"We  now  have  spring  for  ploughing  and  sowing, 
and  the  beginning  of  summer  for  the  end  of  the 
strength  of  corn;  and  the  beginning  of  autumn  for  the 
end  of  the  ripeness  of  corn  and  for  reaping;  winter  for 
its  gathering.  But  ask  Bres  when  the  men  of  Eriu 
shall  plough,  when  they  shall  sow,  and  when  they 
shall  reap.  After  making  known  these  things,  he  shall 
be  spared." 

Lugh  repeated  what  the  druid  had  said,  and  Bres 
answered,  "Tuesday  their  ploughing,  Tuesday  their 
casting  seed  into  the  field,  Tuesday  their  reaping." 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA      119 

After  that  Lugh  bade  the  former  king  go  free. 

"We  would  not  have  thee  in  the  island  of  Eriu.  Re- 
turn to  the  people  thou  hast  chosen  in  preference  to 
us." 

Shamed,  the  traitor  slunk  off;  Lugh  and  his  com- 
panions watched  till  Bres  was  swallowed  in  the  gath- 
ering darkness. 

By  this  time  it  was  nearly  nightfall,  and  the  De- 
dannans  were  too  exhausted  from  their  days  of  fight- 
ing to  follow  the  few  companies  of  Fomorians  who 
had  escaped  destruction;  therefore  the  victors 
camped  where  they  were,  and  their  fires  were  soon 
flaming  brightly. 

After  the  death  of  Nuada,  Lugh  had  been  generally 
accepted  as  the  leader  of  his  countrymen,  and  the 
captains  of  the  host  reported  to  him.  Each  officer 
gave  the  number  of  shields,  spears,  swords,  that  had 
fallen  into  the  hands  of  his  men,  and  the  names  of  the 
dead  and  wounded  in  his  command.  Among  those  re- 
porting was  Ogma,  who  had  picked  up  a  Fomorian 
sword  with  a  jeweled  hilt  which  he  now  offered  Lugh. 

"Keep  the  sword  for  thine  own.  Well  hast  thou 
earned  a  reward  this  day,"  said  the  champion  gra- 
ciously. 

Thanking  his  leader,  Ogma  decided  to  clean  the 
weapon  before  he  went  to  sleep  that  night.  Dropping 


no         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

wearily  by  the  fire,  he  set  about  this  work.  Suddenly, 
he  was  amazed  to  hear  the  sword  speaking  with  a 
sound  like  metal  humming  through  the  air: 

I  am  the  sword  of  Tethra,  king  of  Fomorians. 

Well  was  I  hammered  and  shaped  of  finest  findrinny; 

Fire  leaped  and  roared  at  my  forging;  I  shivered  and  thrilled 

For  joy  that  my  blade  would  soon  be  singing  and  cutting. 

Then  was  I  borne  to  a  boat  by  the  leader  of  warriors, 
Brought  to  the  Plain  of  Moytura,  unsheathed  in  the  battle. 
Gayly  I  tore  the  bones  and  the  flesh  of  the  foemen, 
Scattering  life-blood  from  many  a  white-throated  hero. 

Victory  kept  not  a  tryst  with  the  dark-browed  Fomorians  — 
The  sun  may  not  always  be  held  in  dungeons  of  darkness  — 
Light  and  life  leapt  to  the  sunshine;  the  swords  of  Dedannans 
Granted  release  to  an  unwitting  dweller  in  shadow. 

Gird  me,  O  Chief  of  the  noble  and  fair-haired  Dedannans! 

Well  shall  I  serve  thee,  defending  the  island  of  Eriu, 

Her  plains  and  her  mountains,  her  glens  and  her  lakes  and  her 

rivers, 
Till  her  waters  be  dry  and  the  crown  of  her  greenness  be  withered. 

"My  thanks,  O  Sword  of  Tethra,"  said  the  chief- 
tain, when  the  low  chant  was  ended;  "I  shall  indeed 
keep  thee  forever.  Thy  name  shall  be  The  Defender." 

At  the  same  time,  in  another  part  of  the  camp,  the 
Dagda  entered  Lugh's  tent  and  was  pleasantly 
greeted. 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  OF  MOYTURA      121 

"I  have  been  wondering  how  soon  thou  wouldst 
bring  me  thy  word  of  the  battle.  In  truth,  with  club 
and  with  sword  thou  wert  a  destroyer  of  the  enemy." 

"I  have  slain  thirty  champions  with  my  own  blade, 
and  but  a  hundred  of  the  men  of  my  third  have  per- 
ished, yet  I  am  greatly  troubled,"  answered  the 
Dagda.  "My  cherished  harp,  Four-Angled-Music, 
has  been  carried  away  by  the  Fomorians.  When  I  re- 
turned from  their  camp,  I  had  little  time  before  the 
battle,  and  I  laid  the  harp  on  the  ground  at  what 
was  then  the  rear  of  our  army;  but,  in  the  changes 
of  fighting,  the  Fomorians  took  the  ground,  and  the 
Four-Angled-One  is  gone.  Some  of  the  enemy  were 
able  to  retreat  with  not  only  their  own  weapons,  but 
with  a  few  of  ours;  undoubtedly  they  have  my  harp." 

"To-morrow  thou  shalt  seek  it,  and  I  shall  go  with 
thee,"  answered  Lugh. 


XI 
THE  DAGDA  AND  HIS  HARP 

Silent  harp  of  Eriu, 

When  wilt  them  sing  again? 
How  should  a  stranger  know  thy  songs, 

The  loved  Dedannan  strain? 

HE  sun  was  already  several  hours 
high  when  the  Dedannan  army, 
again  drawn  up  in  fighting  forma- 
tion, heard  the  Morrigu  proclaim  the 
victory  of  the  previous  day.  She  was 
dressed  in  a  scarlet  cloak;  her  long 
black  hair,  bound  by  a  golden  circlet,  hung  below  her 
waist;  she  sang  in  a  shrill,  high  voice: 

Victory  now,  O  Warriors  of  Eriu ! 

Chant  we  the  glory  and  grace  of  the  slain; 
Honor  the  dead  and  honor  the  living, 

Those  who  by  battle  have  brought  peace  again! 

Hang  up  the  shield;  place  the  spear  in  the  corner; 

Follow  the  plough  in  the  furrow  of  earth; 
Let  the  slim  coracle  glide  down  the  tideway 

Carrying  our  fishermen  far  on  the  firtn. 

May  the  mouths  of  our  rivers  with  salmon  be  teeming; 

Ducks  in  their  hundreds  drift  through  the  air; 
Kine  in  their  multitudes  graze  on  our  pasture-lands; 

Many  a  stag  of  points  flee  from  his  lair. 


THE  DAGDA  AND  HIS  HARP  123 

Peace  on  the  earth  and  peace  in  the  heavens; 

Peace  over  Eriu  smiling  and  green; 
Peace  on  her  shores  and  peace  in  her  borders; 

Peace  to  the  servants  of  Eriu,  Queen! 

A  deafening  cheer  rose  from  the  army  when  the 
poetess  had  finished,  for  the  Dedannans  loved  their 
country,  and  each  man  was  proud  that  he  had  had  a 
share  in  defending  it.  Then  the  Dagda  led  before  the 
company  a  cow  which  had  been  given  him  by  Bres  in 
payment  for  digging  the  ditch  about  the  former 
king's  rath.  This  black  beast  from  the  royal  herd  had 
been  the  only  reward  the  Dagda  would  take,  at  which 
the  niggardly  Bres  had  been  delighted.  The  cham- 
pion had  made  his  choice  upon  the  advice  of  his  son, 
Angus,  whose  wisdom  was  now  proven,  for,  when  the 
cow  lowed,  all  the  cattle  of  Eriu  answered.  Some  of 
them  were  in  the  act  of  being  carried  off  by  the  Fo- 
morians,  but,  upon  hearing  the  voice  of  the  Dagda's 
animal,  the  kine  broke  from  their  captors,  galloped 
towards  the  western  coast,  and  were  soon  quietly 
grazing  upon  the  Plain  of  Moytura,  where  they  were 
quickly  recaptured  by  their  former  owners. 

After  the  Dagda  had  tethered  his  cow,  he  sought 
Lugh.  "I  am  ready,"  he  said,  "to  go  in  quest  of  my 
harp." 

"And  I  with  thee,"  replied  the  Dedannan  leader, 


i24         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"but  first  let  us  ask  Ogma  to  be  our  guide,  foi  he 
knows  the  direction  in  which  Bres  fled." 

The  Dagda's  brother  willingly  agreed  to  accom- 
pany his  fellows,  and  they  were  soon  on  the  track  of 
the  Fomorians.  About  midday  the  pursuers  ap- 
proached an  open  space  near  the  edge  of  a  wood,  from 
which,  as  they  advanced,  they  heard  the  sound  of 
voices.  Cautiously  the  three  men  moved  forward, 
and  soon  they  saw  between  fifty  and  a  hundred  of 
their  enemies  engaged  in  preparing  a  meal.  They 
were  seated  in  groups  about  enormous  fires.  Leaning 
against  a  tree  behind  Bres  was  the  stolen  harp.  As 
the  three  companions  crouched  among  the  ferns,  the 
Dagda  whispered: 

"Fortunate  am  I  to  have  learned  magic  in  the 
northern  isles,  for  now  I  shall  regain  my  harp." 

"Three  against  a  hundred  —  good  odds!"  said 
Ogma  in  an  undertone,  fingering  his  new  sword. 

"We  shall  be  their  equals,"  encouraged  Lugh. 

"We  may  not  have  to  use  our  weapons,  if  the 
magic  which  I  have  bound  into  my  harp  avails.  The 
wood  of  the  frame  is  from  a  druid  wand,  and  is 
accustomed  to  come  to  my  hand  when  summoned." 

Then,  in  a  loud,  clear  voice,  the  champion  sang: 

Melodious  Four-Angled-Music, 
Harp  of  the  wondrous  airs, 


THE  DAGDA  AND  HIS  HARP  125 

He  who  is  come  for  thy  saving, 
Death  in  the  woodland  dares. 

Songs  of  summer  and  winter 
Sweetly  thy  strings  have  sung, 
Sleep-music,  wailing,  and  laughter, 
Songs  of  the  old,  the  young. 

Rise  and  come  at  my  calling! 
Let  me  unbind  thine  airs! 
He  who  is  come  for  thy  saving, 
Death  in  the  woodland  dares! 

At  the  close  of  the  first  stanza,  the  harp  stirred,  and 
a  faint  harmony  swept  across  the  strings.  By  the 
time  the  Dagda  reached  the  last  line  of  the  final 
stanza,  Four-Angled-Music  rose  into  the  air,  as  if 
lifted  by  an  unseen  hand,  and  came  steadily  towards 
the  Dedannans.  Bres  and  the  Fomorians  with  him 
were  attracted  by  the  sound  behind  them;  they 
turned  and  stood  for  a  moment  spellbound.  Then 
the  former  king  tried  to  seize  the  harp,  moving 
towards  him  at  about  the  height  of  his  head,  but 
his  hands  slipped  from  the  polished  frame. 

Gathering  speed,  the  Four-Angled-One  struck  him 
in  the  forehead  with  such  force  that  he  was  instantly 
killed.  Nine  men  shared  his  fate;  but  the  harp  moved 
serenely  and  swiftly  forward  until  it  sprang  into  the 
outstretched  hands  of  the  Dagda,  where  it  settled 


126         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

itself  so  that  he  might  play.  The  three  Dedannans 
had  risen  to  their  feet,  and  Lugh  and  Ogma  stood 
with  drawn  swords  beside  their  fellow. 

Recovering  from  the  shock  of  surprise,  the  Fomo- 
rians,  running  for  their  weapons,  shouted,  "The  De- 
dannans! The  Dedannans!  We  are  attacked!"  and 
rushed  to  overwhelm  the  three  champions;  but,  at 
that  moment,  the  Dagda  drew  his  fingers  across  the 
strings  and  played  a  wild  song  of  weeping.  The 
charging  men  paused,  dropped  their  swords,  and 
went  into  a  frenzy  of  grief.  The  Dagda  laughed; 
straightway  he  changed  the  tune  to  one  with  a  trip- 
ping, strongly  marked  rhythm,  and  the  foemen  were 
instantly  as  mirthful  as  before  they  had  been  sad; 
they  flung  themselves  about  and  danced  in  glee. 
Again  the  Dedannan  changed  the  air;  now  the  harp 
uttered  a  wistful,  slumbrous  melody,  so  that  the 
Fomorians  sank  drowsily  to  the  ground  and  were  at 
once  asleep. 

The  Dagda  slung  his  harp  over  his  shoulder  and 
turned  to  his  companions.  "Now  we  may  go  undis- 
turbed," he  said.  "Did  I  not  tell  you  there  would  be 
no  need  for  swords?  That  thief  and  traitor  will  never 
awaken,"  he  added  grimly;  "the  curse  of  Corpre  has 
availed." 

Lugh  and  Ogma  nodded  gravely. 


THE  DAGDA  AND  HIS  HARP  127 

The  champions  now  made  haste  to  the  Plain  of 
Moytura,  where  the  army  joyfully  received  them. 
After  passing  another  night  on  the  battle-field,  Lugh 
led  the  Dedannans  back  to  Tara,  where  the  troops 
were  disbanded.  However,  most  of  the  men  did  not 
return  to  their  homes  immediately,  but  attended  the 
assembly  of  nobles  which  unanimously  elected  Lugh 
High  King  and  decided  to  have  his  coronation  at 
once.  For  a  week,  therefore,  many  of  the  men  of 
Eriu  feasted  at  Tara,  and  they  rejoiced  exceedingly 
because  they  felt  that  their  victory  over  the  Fomo- 
rians  would  bring  lasting  peace.  The  great  Stone  of 
Destiny,  the  Lia  Fail,  roared  when  Lugh  stood  upon 
it;  thus  it  recognized  him  as  a  rightful  king. 

The  champion  reigned  many  years,  till  his  hair 
grew  gray,  his  eyes  dim.  He  was  succeeded  on  the 
throne  in  turn  by  the  Dagda,  by  Delbaeth,  by  Fiacach, 
by  Findgill;  and  they  were  succeeded  by  three  grand- 
sons of  the  Dagda,  MacCuill,  MacCecht,  and  Mac- 
Grene,  who  ruled  simultaneously  and  divided  Ireland 
into  three  parts,  over  each  of  which  reigned  one  of 
the  brothers.  In  their  time  a  new  race  came  to  Eriu, 
and  the  clashing  of  swords  was  again  heard  in  the 
island. 


XII 
THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH 

Over  green  waves  the  strangers  seek  thee, 
With  straining  oars  and  sails  unfurled, 

Eriu,  goal  of  their  hearts'  adventure, 
Eriu,  Queen  of  the  Western  World. 

kEITHER  nations  nor  individuals  can  live 
entirely  to  themselves.  At  the  time  when 
the  events  just  narrated  were  taking  place 
in  Eriu,  an  Eastern  race,  named  the 
Milesians,  after  Mil,  one  of  their  chief- 
tains, had  begun  a  series  of  migrations 
which  brought  them  eventually  to  the  island  of  Brit- 
ain. Here  they  led  busy,  industrious  lives,  tilling  the 
soil  and  fishing  the  neighboring  seas.  For  some  un- 
explained reason,  they  did  not  sail  westward;  perhaps 
they  associated  the  place  of  the  sunset  with  the  land 
of  the  dead,  in  the  way  soldiers  now  speak  of  their 
fallen  comrades  as  having  "gone  west."  Whatever 
the  cause,  the  Milesians  did  not  discover  the  island  of 
Eriu;  nor  did  the  Dedannans,  intent  upon  their  own 
affairs,  learn  of  their  new  neighbors. 

One  of  the  Milesians,  however,  a  chieftain  named 
Ith,  was  more  enterprising  than  others  of  his  coun- 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  129 

trymen.  On  an  evening  of  early  spring,  following  a 
day  of  such  extraordinarily  clear  atmosphere  that  no 
man  remembered  the  like,  Ith  climbed  to  the  top  of  a 
lofty  tower  which  his  father  had  built  on  the  south- 
west coast  of  Britain,  an  observation  post  whence  he 
could  look  over  the  sea  to  judge  whether  it  would  be 
smooth  enough  for  fishermen  on  the  morrow.  As  the 
warrior  gazed  intently  towards  the  west,  shading  his 
eyes  with  his  hand,  he  thought  he  saw  in  the  distance 
the  dim  outline  of  another  coast. 

Turning  to  his  brother,  Breg,  he  said,  "O  Brother, 
is  that  land  which  I  see  yonder?" 

Breg  nodded  slowly.  "  That  may  be  land,  or  it  may 
be  the  clouds  of  heaven.  None  from  these  shores  has 
ever  visited  there." 

"Then  I  shall  be  the  first  to  do  so,"  rejoined  Ith. 

Admiration  gleamed  in  Breg's  eyes.  "Thou  wert 
ever  one  for  adventure.  Remember  that  the  west  is 
where  the  sun  disappears,  and  if,  in  thy  youthful 
eagerness,  thou  goest  thither,  thou  art  risking  death." 

"Yet  I  am  not  young,  after  all,"  retorted  Ith. 
"My  son  is  already  able  to  wield  a  sword,  and  my 
hair  is  tinged  with  gray." 

"Thou  wert  always  a  wanderer,"  answered  Breg, 
shrugging  his  shoulders. 

"To-morrow  I  shall  make  ready  for  the  journey," 


ijo         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

cried  Ith  joyfully.  "Perchance  I  shall  arrange  a 
treaty  with  the  dwellers  in  yonder  country,  that  we 
may  trade  with  them." 

Ith  found  comparatively  little  difficulty  in  obtain- 
ing companions  for  his  journey,  since  there  are  always 
men  ready  to  undertake  a  brave  exploit.  He  se- 
lected ninety  of  the  most  valiant  and  the  most  skilled 
of  the  Milesians;  a  small  party,  he  thought,  would  not 
seem  warlike  and  would  be  able  to  travel  more  rapidly 
than  a  great  company.  All  chosen  for  the  expedition 
went  to  work  with  a  will,  and  in  a  short  time  they  had 
embarked  and  set  sail.  Their  kindred  crowded  the 
beach  to  watch  the  departure  and  to  cheer  the  voyag- 
ers upon  their  way.  Many,  however,  thought  them 
foolhardy. 

Without  mishap,  the  adventurers  came  to  land  on 
the  eastern  shore  of  Eriu,  where  they  were  met  by  a 
shepherd,  who  was  at  first  terrified,  but  who  became 
friendly  when  he  discovered  that  he  and  the  strangers 
spoke  the  same  tongue.  When  Ith  noticed  that  there 
appeared  to  be  few  people  in  the  vicinity,  the  herd 
explained  that  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  of  Eriu  had 
gone  to  a  gathering  at  a  place  in  the  north,  near  the 
present  city  of  Londonderry.  This  assembly  had  been 
summoned  by  the  three  High  Kings,  MacCuill,  Mac- 
Cecht,  and  MacGrene,  because  of  a  legal  dispute  in 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  131 

regard  to  property.  One  of  the  disputants  had  ap- 
pealed to  MacCuill;  the  other  to  MacCecht.  Mac- 
Grene  was  to  sit  as  judge  and  to  hear  the  case  argued 
by  the  most  learned  brehons,  or  lawyers,  of  the  entire 
kingdom. 

"However,"  the  shepherd  said  in  conclusion, 
"  there  is  little  likelihood  of  a  settlement,  for  the  argu- 
ments of  each  side  are  already  well  known,  and  feel- 
ing runs  high.  The  case  has  been  unsettled  for  over  a 
year,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  it  will  be  determined  by 
peaceable  means.  Every  man  who  went  to  the  gath- 
ering took  his  weapons  with  him." 

The  Milesian  chieftain  drew  his  companions  aside; 
after  a  short  conversation,  he  turned  again  to  the 
yokel.  "Mayhap  I  could  decide  this  case,  for  I  am 
learned  in  law.  Will  it  be  possible  for  me  to  go  to  the 
assembly?" 

"Truly,  then  thou  hast  arrived  at  a  fortunate 
time,"  said  the  countryman.  "Gladly  the  Dedan- 
nans  and  their  sovereigns  will  welcome  thee,  and  I 
myself  will  be  thy  guide." 

It  was  arranged  that  Ith  should  take  only  nine  of 
his  men  with  him  upon  the  journey  northward,  leav- 
ing the  others  to  guard  the  boat  and  to  explore  the 
country  near  the  coast.  On  the  way,  the  friendly 
guide  told  Ith  much  about  Eriu  and  the  history  of 


132         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

the  Dedannans.  He  explained  particularly  that  the 
present  was  not  the  equal  of  the  generations  of  the 
past;  especially  were  the  kings,  MacCuill,  MacCecht, 
and  MacGrene,  men  of  less  strength  and  ability  than 
their  grandfather,  the  Dagda,  and  the  heroes  of  his 
day.  Although  the  peasant  spoke  with  caution,  Ith 
realized  that  there  was  widespread  dissatisfaction  in 
Eriu;  it  seemed  to  him  that  the  shepherd  looked  a 
trifle  enviously  at  the  stalwart  Milesians.  For  his 
own  part,  the  leader  marveled  at  the  fertility  of  the 
country  he  traveled  through:  the  great  central  plain, 
with  cattle  grazing,  and  with  cultivated  fields;  the 
forests  abounding  in  game;  the  lakes  and  streams 
teeming  with  fish. 

Eventually  the  Milesians  reached  the  assembly  of 
the  men  of  Eriu,  where  the  Dedannans  looked  upon 
them  with  curiosity,  but  without  hostility.  Word  of 
the  new  arrivals  was  quickly  brought  to  the  sover- 
eigns, and  the  strangers  were  called  before  the  thrones 
upon  which  sat  the  three  High  Kings.  Gladness 
filled  the  hearts  of  the  rulers,  for  the  dispute  before 
the  court  had  again  reached  a  deadlock. 

Ith  explained  his  coming,  his  hope  that  there  might 
be  close  relations  between  Eriu  and  his  own  country. 
To  King  MacGrene  he  added  that  he  had  heard  of  the 
quarrel  between  MacCuill  and  MacCecht,  and  that 
he  had  knowledge  of  law. 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  133 

"Welcome  art  thou,  and  welcome  are  those  with 
thee,"  graciously  responded  MacGrene.  "Happy 
fortune  has  brought  thee  hither.  Gladly  do  we  wel- 
come thee  as  judge."  t 

MacGrene  then  set  forth  carefully  the  entire  cause 
of  disagreement  between  the  two  parties,  and  the  ar- 
guments which  had  been  used  by  the  Dedannan  bre- 
hons.  While  the  king  spoke,  Ith's  mind  worked 
quickly;  he  foresaw  that  if  he  decided  in  favor  of 
either  contestant,  the  other  might  be  made  his  lasting 
enemy.  As  a  result,  Ith  would  not  succeed  in  his  pur- 
pose of  establishing  friendly  relations  between  De- 
dannans  and  Milesians.  He  determined,  therefore,  to 
give  a  judgment  which  might  reconcile  the  brothers, 
but  which  should  be  expressed  in  such  general  terms 
that  he  could  not  be  accused  of  interfering  in  a  house- 
hold quarrel.  This  he  did,  concluding: 

"Do  just  righteousness.  It  is  fitting  for  you  to 
maintain  a  good  brotherhood.  It  is  right  for  you  to 
have  a  good  disposition.  Good  is  your  land;  plenteous 
her  harvest,  her  honey,  her  fish,  her  wheat,  and  her 
other  grain;  moderate  are  her  heat  and  cold;  all  that 
is  sufficient  for  you  is  in  her.  Act  according  to  the 
laws  of  justice." 

These  words  were  received  by  the  entire  assembly 
with  the  silence  of  disappointment.  MacGrene  was 


134         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

particularly  confused;  he  had  hoped  to  reunite  Mac- 
Cuill  and  MacCecht,  and  he  knew  that  he  could  not 
ask  a  new  judgment  from  the  stranger,  for  that  would 
be  the  height  of  discourtesy.  Ith  also  realized  his 
mistake,  yet  he  was  fearful  of  causing  still  more  harm 
if  he  spoke  further.  Fortunately,  MacGrene  saved 
the  situation  by  saying: 

"  Brothers,  and  Men  of  the  Dedannans,  we  owe  our 
thanks  to  Ith  of  the  Milesians  for  his  judgment.  May 
his  words,  working  in  our  hearts,  bring  straight  from 
crooked!  Ponder  well  this  case;  and  I  summon  you 
all  to  meet  me  here  three  months  from  to-day,  that 
we  may  again  know  the  opinions  of  the  brehons. 
Now,  O  Chieftain,  I  bid  thee  and  thy  companions 
feast  with  us  in  two  hours'  time  in  our  royal  tent, 
that  we  may  discuss  the  matters  which  concern 
Milesians  and  Dedannans." 

Saluting  the  kings,  Ith  accepted  the  royal  invita- 
tion, and  he  and  his  followers  withdrew  to  a  tent  set 
apart  for  their  use.  Here  he  gave  himself  to  moody 
thoughts,  but,  after  a  time,  his  spirits  revived,  for  he 
remembered  that  he  had  not  yet  spoken  of  establish- 
ing trade  between  Britain  and  Eriu,  and  he  hoped 
that,  by  the  time  of  the  feast,  the  misfortune  of  the 
morning  would  be  forgotten.  He  felt  MacGrene  to 
be  well  disposed,  but  he  distrusted  the  dark  looks  of 
MacCuill  and  MacCecht. 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  135 

Without  pleasure,  the  Dedannans  prepared  for  a 
night  of  carousing.  As  the  supporters  of  the  opposing 
kings  passed  one  another,  there  was  a  rattling  of 
swords  and  spears  against  shields.  MacCuill  and 
MacCecht,  glowering  at  each  other,  went  to  separate 
tents,  where  they  paced  angrily  up  and  down,  enmity 
smouldering  in  their  hearts.  MacGrene,  on  the  other 
hand,  was  of  a  happier  disposition;  he  was  not  long 
troubled  by  Ith's  unfortunate  lack  of  decision;  he 
wished  sincerely  to  bring  his  countrymen  more  into 
touch  with  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  he  welcomed  the 
opportunity  of  possible  trade  with  the  Milesians. 
However,  the  plans  of  the  well-disposed  were  des- 
tined to  be  overthrown  by  one  man  who  cherished 
hatred;  the  power  of  the  Dedannans  was  to  be  broken 
by  the  scheming  of  a  Fomorian. 

For  some  time  after  the  Second  Battle  of  Moytura, 
no  Fomorian  had  visited  Eriu,  but,  eventually,  the 
family  of  Balor  having  died  out,  his  people  landed 
once  more  upon  the  Irish  coast,  where,  since  they  had 
lost  their  old  arrogance,  they  were  hospitably  treated. 
Among  those  who  crossed  the  narrow  stretch  of  water 
dividing  Tory  Island  from  Eriu  was  a  certain  Brath, 
a  youth  skilled  in  wizardry,  exceedingly  ugly,  and  of 
an  evil  disposition.  His  grandfather  had  been  slain 
in  the  Battle  of  Moytura,  and  his  father,  swearing  to 


136         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

avenge  the  Fomorian  defeat,  had,  on  his  death-bed, 
made  his  son  promise  to  devote  his  life  to  destroying 
the  Dedannans.  With  this  object  always  in  mind, 
Brath  perfected  himself  in  sorcery.  In  time,  he  ven- 
tured to  visit  Eriu.  Since,  in  spite  of  his  ugliness,  he 
was  a  man  both  of  intelligence  and  of  courtesy,  he 
made  such  a  reputation  among  the  Dedannans  that 
he  was  eventually  summoned  to  the  court  of  Mac- 
Cuill,  who  made  him  chief  magician  and  a  close  com- 
panion. But  Brath  never  forgot  his  purpose  in  life, 
and  he  was  continually  hoping  for  the  time  when  he 
might  contribute  to  the  downfall  of  his  grandfather's 
enemies;  accordingly,  when  the  dispute  arose  between 
MacCuill  and  MacCecht,  the  sorcerer  did  all  he  could 
to  prevent  an  agreement;  he  felt  that  through  this 
quarrel  might  come  his  long-awaited  chance  for  re- 
venge. 

While  Ith  avoided  pronouncing  a  definite  judg- 
ment at  the  assembly,  Brath  paid  strict  attention  to 
the  stranger's  words;  he  thought  he  found  in  them 
the  opportunity  he  was  seeking,  and  his  heart  leapt. 
He  hurried  to  MacCuill's  tent  soon  after  the  king's 
angry  withdrawal  from  the  gathering.  Lifting  the 
tent-flap,  the  sorcerer  addressed  the  sovereign: 

"O  MacCuill,  may  I  enter?  I  bring  thee  good 
counsel." 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  137 

Without  answering,  the  enraged  king  motioned 
Brath  to  come  in. 

"Well  do  I  know  thy  pain  of  heart  that  the  stranger 
did  not  decide  in  thy  favor,"  said  the  magician. 
"May  his  ill  judgment  fall  back  upon  him!  Yet  ill 
judgment  is  the  least  evil  that  he  brought." 

"What  meanest  thou?" 

"Didst  thou  not  hear  what  he  said  of  the  fertility 
of  this  land,  of  its  climate?  It  is  an  easy  step  from 
coveting  to  seeking  possession.  Might  he  not  return 
to  Britain,  gather  his  people,  and  invade  Eriu?  May 
not  his  meaningless  words  cloak  a  design  of  conquest? 
MacGrene  must  not  concur;  the  Dedannans  have 
now  been  at  peace  many  years;  through  the  folly  of 
one  man  shall  they  again  have  to  defend  their  homes? 
If  MacGrene  welcomes  the  Milesians  to  his  third  of 
Eriu,  little  good  will  it  do  for  thee  and  for  MacCecht 
to  deny  them  your  harbors." 

"Mayhap  thou  speakest  sooth,"  muttered  Mac- 
Cuill. 

Brath  pushed  his  advantage;  he  pictured  the  short- 
sightedness of  MacGrene  as  working  the  overthrow  of 
Eriu,  and  he  appealed  to  MacCuill  to  save  his  people. 

"I  know  it  will  irk  thee  to  go  against  thy  brother, 
but  the  Dedannans  look  to  thee  for  leadership;  save 
thy  race  from  the  foreigner,  even  as  thy  grandfather 


138         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

helped  save  them  in  the  past,  and  thy  name  ever  will 
be  remembered  with  gratitude.  This  is  no  time  for 
words;  weapons  alone  can  ensure  safety.  Slay  this 
stranger,  and  his  countrymen  will  not  dare  approach 
Eriu;  even  should  they  attempt  it,  the  Dedannans 
will  repulse  them  easily." 

"But  the  laws  of  hospitality?  The  stranger  said  he 
was  an  ambassador  with  greetings  from  the  kings  of 
Britain;  his  person  is  sacred,"  answered  MacCuill, 
wavering. 

"Wilt  hesitate  to  do  a  trifling  wrong  that  much 
good  may  come?  Then  shalt  thou  perish  in  the  ruin 
of  thy  people." 

MacCuill's  vanity  was  appealed  to.  Above  all 
things,  he  wished  to  be  distinguished  among  his 
countrymen;  now  the  affable  MacGrene  received  the 
love  and  homage  of  the  Dedannans,  and  MacCuill 
and  MacCecht  were  accorded  courtesy  only.  Mac- 
Cuill keenly  resented  this.  He  could  not  resist  the 
opportunity  to  do  what  might  not  only  satisfy  his 
private  grudge,  but  might  also  win  him  the  thanks 
and  admiration  of  his  people. 

"We  shall  rid  ourselves  of  this  troublesome  Mi- 
lesian," said  the  king,  turning  sharply  and  facing 
Brath,  who  flushed  with  pleasure  at  the  success  of 
his  scheme.  "Hast  thou  no  plan?" 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  139 

"Wise  thy  decision,  O  King!  I  have  a  plan,  indeed. 
To-morrow,  when  Ith  sets  out  to  rejoin  his  ship,  we 
shall  follow  him.  He  will  pause  during  the  heat  of  the 
day  for  rest  and  food.  Thy  skill  with  the  javelin  and 
my  ointment  for  the  barb  will  serve  us  well.  To- 
night speak  fairly  to  the  chieftain,  and  he  will  think 
thou  hast  forgotten  his  failure  to  pronounce  judg- 
ment. Trouble  thyself  little  over  what  MacGrene 
promises,  for  it  is  no  living  messenger  that  will  return 
to  Britain." 

The  king  clasped  the  sorcerer  by  the  hand;  blithely 
both  went  to  the  tent  of  MacGrene,  who  was  de- 
lighted by  the  joviality  and  kindliness  of  MacCuill  at 
the  feast;  only  MacCecht  was  inclined  to  sullenness, 
for  he  could  not  understand  how  his  brothers  could 
forgive  the  stranger's  earlier  behavior;  nevertheless, 
as  the  night  progressed,  even  the  third  ruler  was 
drawn  out  of  his  gloom.  MacGrene  eagerly  agreed  to 
the  visitor's  proposal  to  begin  trade  between  Britain 
and  Eriu,  and  he  was  heartily  seconded  by  MacCuill. 
MacCecht  was  unenthusiastic  and  inclined  to  make 
objections,  but  his  opposition  was  overborne  by  his 
brothers. 

In  the  morning,  Ith  and  his  nine  men  started  early 
from  the  place  of  assembly;  they  wished  to  lose  no 
time  in  taking  the  tidings  of  their  successful  mission 


i4o         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

to  their  countrymen  at  home.  The  majority  of  the 
Dedannans  had  not  forgiven  Ith's  evasion  in  giving 
judgment,  so  that  few  were  present  to  see  him  start. 
No  one,  therefore,  noticed  MacCuill  and  Brath  as 
they  cautiously  left  camp  and  rode  in  the  direction 
which  the  strangers  had  taken. 

At  noon,  the  shepherd  who  had  been  their  guide 
brought  the  Milesians  to  a  shady  spot  near  a  stream, 
where  he  suggested  that  they  pause  for  food.  All 
gladly  agreed;  the  morning  had  been  warm;  they 
had  traveled  rapidly;  they  were  hungry,  thirsty,  in 
need  of  rest.  Soon  they  had  lit  fires  and  were  busy 
cooking,  when  there  came  the  sudden  whizz  of  a 
javelin.  The  spear  pierced  Ith  as  he  bent  over  a  cook- 
ing-pit, and  he  fell  grievously  wounded.  Mocking 
laughter  came  from  among  the  trees  not  far  from  the 
edge  of  the  stream.  The  remaining  Milesians,  with  a 
cry  of  "Treachery!"  rushed  for  their  swords  and 
drew  together  for  defense.  Two  of  the  men  bound 
Ith's  wounds;  two  others  ventured  towards  the  wood 
in  search  of  the  assassins. 

Suddenly  a  frightened  horse  galloped  towards 
them,  the  rider  crouching  low  upon  the  animal's  neck. 
A  Milesian  hurled  a  spear,  but  the  cast  fell  short;  the 
horse  swerved  and  dashed  back  into  the  forest.  A 
second  horse  plunged  from  the  thicket,  his  rider  try- 


THE  JOURNEY  OF  ITH  141 

ing  desperately  to  remount.  As  the  companions  of 
Ith  sprang  forward  with  shouts  of  "Vengeance!"  the 
struggling  rider  lost  his  balance  and  fell  under  his 
horse's  hoofs,  where  his  skull  was  crushed.  The  ani- 
mal was  quickly  captured  and  quieted,  and  the  dead 
man  was  recognized  by  the  shepherd  as  the  magician, 
Brath. 

The  Milesians  turned  to  the  stricken  Ith  and  care- 
fully examined  the  spear  that  had  been  drawn  from 
his  wound.  To  their  dismay,  they  saw  that  it  had 
been  poisoned.  Their  guide  identified  it  as  belonging 
to  MacCuill;  clearly  the  king  had  been  the  sorcerer's 
companion. 

Sorrowfully,  and  vowing  revenge,  the  Milesians 
placed  their  unconscious  chief  upon  a  hastily  con- 
structed litter  and  continued  their  journey  to  the 
coast.  When  the  men  guarding  the  ship  heard  the 
end  of  the  adventure  in  the  north,  they  raised  a  great 
keening.  Although  the  shepherd  assured  them  that 
the  murderous  attack  would  be  disavowed  with  hor- 
ror by  the  Dedannans,  the  followers  of  Ith  were  de- 
termined to  bring  retribution  upon  a  treacherous 
people.  They  set  forth  in  haste  to  reach  their  own 
country,  but,  as  they  neared  the  shores  of  Britain, 
their  leader  died. 


XIII 
THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS 

Forever  shall  the  Gaelic  heart  be  stirred 
By  legends  from  beyond  the  times  marked  off 
By  men,  for  Gaelic  eyes  are  touched  with  dream, 
And  Fairy  music,  blown  along  the  years, 
Sounds  changeless  melodies  in  Gaelic  ears. 

ITH  shouts  of  joy,  the  Milesians  in 
Britain  crowded  to  welcome  the  return- 
ing travelers,  but  silence  came  over  the 
multitude  when  they  found  that  the 
ship  bore  the  body  of  Ith.  In  solemn 
procession  they  accompanied  the  litter  which  carried 
the  lifeless  chieftain  to  the  palace  of  their  two  kings, 
Eber  Donn  (the  Dark)  and  Eremon,  sons  of  Mil  and 
nephews  of  the  slain  warrior. 

The  people  waited  outside  as  the  corpse  was 
taken  into  the  great  hall;  when  the  story  of  the 
murder  became  known,  a  murmur  rose  among  the 
assemblage. 

"Lead  us,  O  Kings,  against  those  who  slay  and  poi- 
son friendly  visitors!  War  against  Eriu!" 

A  lone  voice  here  and  there  took  up  the  cry,  which 
grew  louder  and  louder,  until  at  last  Eremon  stood 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      143 

in  the  doorway  with  uplifted  hand  to  order  silence. 

"Milesians,"  he  said,  when  the  tumult  was  quieted, 
"we  share  the  wrath  which  fills  your  hearts,  and  we 
summon  the  nobles  of  our  council,  that  we  may  de- 
cide how  best  to  require  atonement  for  the  wrong 
which  has  been  done.  Disperse  to  your  homes,  and 
ye  will  soon  know  what  is  our  determination!" 

"Thou  hast  spoken  well,  O  Eremon,  and  thou  hast 
acted  quickly,"  was  the  people's  answer;  then  the 
gathering  dwindled  away. 

In  the  council  there  was  some  difference  of  opinion 
as  to  the  wiser  course  to  pursue:  Eremon,  the 
younger  king,  urged  that  before  undertaking  the  in- 
vasion of  Eriu  it  would  be  best  to  send  another  em- 
bassy to  the  Dedannans,  inquire  into  the  responsibil- 
ity for  the  death  of  Ith,  and  ascertain  whether  the 
whole  people  supported  the  murder;  but  Eber  Donn 
argued  that  the  Dedannans  could  not  be  trusted,  and 
he  demanded  immediate  invasion.  In  this  he  was 
supported  by  the  son  of  the  slaughtered  chieftain 
(who  now  assumed  his  father's  name)  and  by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  nobles,  so  that  Eremon  finally  gave  way 
and  agreed  to  immediate  preparations  for  a  military 
expedition. 

The  decision  was  received  with  general  satisfac- 
tion, and  the  entire  island  was  soon  buzzing  with 


144         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

industry;  new  ships  were  hastily  built  and  old  ones 
repaired;  old  weapons  were  strengthened  and  new 
forged,  so  that,  in  a  comparatively  short  time,  sixty- 
five  vessels  were  ready  to  take  a  mighty  host  of 
fighting-men,  with  their  wives  and  families,  to  Eriu. 
Only  old  men  and  women,  young  children,  and  others 
unable  to  bear  arms,  were  left  behind  when  the  fleet 
set  sail.  A  great  shout,  "We  go  to  avenge  our  bad 
welcome!"  filled  the  air  as  the  kings'  ship  led  the  way 
to  sea. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Dedannan  kingdoms  had 
fared  none  too  well.  The  shepherd's  story,  verified  by 
the  finding  of  Brath's  body,  caused  general  indigna- 
tion which  brought  about  the  speedy  trial  of  Mac- 
Cuill,  but  he  was  released  when  the  judges  were  con- 
vinced that  he  had  believed  he  was  serving  his  coun- 
try by  slaying  Ith;  they  realized  that  he  had  been 
played  upon  by  the  wily  Brath.  However,  the  trial  of 
MacCuill  did  not  improve  the  situation  between 
Dedannans  and  Milesians;  the  men  of  Eriu  knew 
that  the  men  from  Britain  probably  would  endeavor 
to  exact  immediate  vengeance  for  the  wrong  which 
had  been  committed,  and  there  was  talk  of  sending  a 
mission  to  the  neighboring  island  to  offer  an  explana- 
tion and  an  apology;  but  it  was  finally  decided  that 
the  Milesians  would  laugh  at  such  a  proceeding  and 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      145 

consider  the  Dedannans  cowards.  Without  much  en- 
thusiasm, therefore,  the  dwellers  in  Eriu  made  ready 
again  to  defend  their  country.  They  determined  to 
rely  largely  upon  the  skill  of  their  druids,  that  magic 
which  their  ancestors  had  brought  from  the  north- 
ern isles.  The  wizards  were  to  oppose  with  incanta- 
tions the  landing  of  the  enemy,  while  the  three  kings 
were  to  muster  their  armies  at  Tara.  However,  the 
oldest  of  the  magicians  warned  the  sovereigns  against 
trusting  overmuch  to  sorcery.  "For,"  he  said,  "it  is 
known  that  the  Milesians  have  with  them  one  of  the 
most  learned  druids  in  the  world,  Amergin."  Never- 
theless, in  spite  of  the  warning,  the  kings  said  they 
would  keep  to  their  original  plan. 

The  ships  wherein  the  Milesians  had  set  out  were 
driven  both  by  sails  and  by  oars,  and  there  was  great 
rivalry  as  to  which  should  first  reach  Eriu.  Ir,  a 
younger  brother  of  the  kings,  and  Ith,  the  son  of  the 
dead  chieftain,  each  had  a  ship  of  his  own,  and  they 
were  racing.  In  his  eagerness  to  win,  Ir  joined  his 
oarsmen  on  the  rowers'  benches,  and  gave  his  men 
such  help  that  they  passed  not  only  Ith's  boat,  but 
that  of  Eber  Donn  and  Eremon.  The  eldest  brother, 
a  man  of  violent  temper,  was  annoyed,  and  he  cried: 

"Ir  before  Ith  to  proceed 
In  truth  is  no  good  deed." 


146         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

As  luck  would  have  it,  at  that  moment  the  oar  of  Ir 
snapped  in  two,  and  he  fell  back  upon  the  thwart  with 
such  violence  that  he  broke  his  back,  from  which  in- 
jury he  died  the  following  night.  The  Milesians,  dis- 
pleased by  the  angry  words  of  Eber  Donn,  and  by  the 
misfortune  which  had  succeeded  them,  said  to  one 
another: 

"Since  he  has  shown  petty  jealousy  of  his  brother's 
reaching  Eriu  before  him,  it  would  be  just  if  Eber 
Donn  should  not  enjoy  the  island." 

Soon  the  men  from  Britain  drew  near  the  Irish 
coast,  but,  by  their  spells,  the  Dedannan  druids  made 
the  land  invisible,  and  the  ships  turned  northward, 
sailing  past  the  eastern  shore. 

After  a  time,  Eremon,  vaguely  conscious  that  some- 
thing was  wrong,  said  to  Amergin,  who  was  in  the 
same  ship: 

"O  Druid,  all  is  not  well.  If  we  may  trust  those 
who  have  been  there,  by  now  we  should  have  reached 
Eriu;  yet  we  find  no  trace  of  land.  I  fear  sorcery  is 
being  used  against  us." 

"Thou  speakest  truth,  O  Eremon,"  answered  the 
wizard.  "Soon  I  shall  learn  what  are  the  devices  of 
the  Dedannan  druids." 

With  these  words,  Amergin  went  to  the  prow  of  the 
vessel,  raised  his  wand  of  yew,  and  spoke  magic 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      147 

phrases,  thereafter  observing  the  clouds  and  counting 
the  number  of  sea-gulls  about  the  ship.  Suddenly, 
brown  cliffs  and  the  green  of  grass  appeared  close  by, 
and  a  shout  of  "Land!"  went  up  from  the  entire  com- 
pany. 

"Ye  see,  O  Eber  Bonn  and  Eremon,  that  we  have 
been  sailing  past  Eriu.  But  I  have  overcome  the  De- 
dannan  spells,  and  we  may  go  ashore  when  we  have 
found  a  fitting  harbor." 

Sailing  south  again,  the  Milesians  finally  entered 
the  mouth  of  what  is  now  the  Kenmare  River  and 
disembarked,  though  not  without  having  first  looked 
carefully  to  see  whether  a  landing  would  be  interfered 
with.  There  were  to  be  seen,  however,  no  Dedannans 
save  a  few  women  and  old  men,  and  Amergin  ex- 
claimed, "They  trusted  to  magic,  and  it  has  failed 
them.  May  their  swords  help  them  no  better!" 

Although  the  men  of  Eriu  had  not  resisted  the 
Milesians"  arrival,  scouts  and  druids  kept  the  three 
kings  at  Tara  fully  informed  of  all  that  was  taking 
place  in  the  south.  The  three  queens,  Banba,  Fodla, 
and  Eriu,  straightway  determined  to  meet  the  invad- 
ers, in  the  hope  either  to  turn  them  back  or  to  delay 
their  advance.  Together  they  hastened  southward 
and  then  separated.  Banba,  accompanied  by  ten  dru- 
ids, encountered  the  invading  army  near  Sliab,  or 
Mount  Mish,  in  the  present  County  Kerry. 


148         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

When  the  advance  guard  of  the  invaders  beheld  the 
queen,  they  immediately  sent  back  word  to  Eber  and 
Eremon  of  the  beauty  and  the  royal  appearance  of  the 
woman  waiting  in  their  path.  The  troops  were  halted, 
while  the  kings,  attended  by  Amergin,  hurried  for- 
ward to  parley  with  the  Dedannan  lady. 

"What  is  thy  name,  O  Queen?"  asked  the  druid. 

"  Banba,  wife  to  MacCecht,  one  of  the  three  sov- 
ereigns of  this  island." 

"What  wouldst  thou  of  the  Milesians?  Thou  seest 
their  kings  here." 

"O  Kings,  come  no  further  into  our  country.  Well 
must  ye  know  that  the  slaying  of  Ith  was  an  act  of 
madness  which  the  Dedannans  have  often  wished  un- 
done. The  slayer  has  been  tried  before  a  court  of  his 
people  and  his  wickedness  has  been  condemned.  Visit 
it  not  upon  us." 

Eber  Donn  was  unmoved  by  this  plea.  He  an- 
swered curtly: 

"O  Queen,  our  course  has  been  decided  in  council; 
until  the  fortune  of  war  compels,  or  until  there  be  a 
new  council,  our  plans  may  not  be  changed." 

"  Since  ye  will  not  turn  back,  accept  the  chance  of 
fate.  I  ask  that,  if  ye  be  conquerors,  ye  bestow  my 
name  upon  the  island." 

"We  will  do  this,  O  Queen,"  said  Amergin,  speak- 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      149 

ing  as  the  druid-historian  of  his  people.  "  Banba  shall 
be  one  of  its  names  forever." 

Queen  Banba  then  withdrew,  not  without  deep  sor- 
row that  she  had  failed  to  put  an  end  to  the  invasion 
and  the  army  continued  its  march  into  the  country. 

After  journeying  for  some  distance,  the  Milesians 
found  Queen  Fodla  waiting  in  front  of  their  host.  To 
her  came  the  kings  and  Amergin. 

"What  is  thy  name,  O  Queen?"  asked  the  Milesian 
druid. 

"Fodla,  wife  to  MacCuill,  king  of  Eriu,"  answered 
the  queen. 

"Why  delayest  thou  the  progress  of  the  Sons  of 
Mil?"  gruffly  interposed  Eber  Donn. 

"O  King,  do  not  push  on  and  cause  war  again  in 
this  land.  Bitterly  has  MacCuill  regretted  his  folly." 

"But  has  it  been  punished?  Stand  aside,  lest  our 
soldiers  treat  thee  harshly." 

"Since  thou  wilt  not  grant  that  request,  consent,  at 
least,  that  the  land  shall  bear  my  name." 

"We  consent  to  this,"  replied  Amergin  promptly. 
"Fodla  shall  be  one  of  its  names  forever." 

The  queen  inclined  her  head  in  acknowledgment  of 
Amergin's  favor  and  then  hurried  away.  Eremon  and 
the  druid  protested  to  Eber  because  of  his  incivility. 

"They  seek  to  snare  us  by  soft  words,  to  prevent 


150         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

our  conquest  of  the  island.  The  Dedannans  have 
grown  weak,"  was  the  only  answer  that  the  elder  sov- 
ereign would  make. 

When  the  Milesians  entered  the  province  of  Meath, 
they  were  met  by  a  woman  whose  beauty  was  such 
that  the  entire  army  halted  without  the  word  of  com- 
mand, and  the  men  in  the  rear  crowded  to  look  at  her. 
The  two  kings  and  Amergin  hastened  to  parley. 

"What  is  thy  name,  O  Queen?"  asked  the  druid 
courteously. 

"Eriu,  wife  to  MacGrene,"  she  answered  in  a  voice 
beautiful  as  the  sound  of  water  welling  upward 
through  a  clear  spring. 

"What  wouldst  thou,  that  thou  hast  halted  our 
host?"  asked  Amergin  further. 

"O  Kings  and  Druid,  come  forward  in  friendship, 
not  in  war!  This  is  a  peaceful  land,  and  its  inhabit- 
ants censure  ill  deeds." 

"Not  through  a  woman  will  we  have  peace,  but 
through  our  gods  and  our  own  power  shall  we  gain 
victory!"  cried  Eber  Donn. 

Quickly  the  queen  turned  to  him.  "It  matters 
naught  to  thee,  for  neither  thou  nor  thy  children  shall 
have  benefit  from  this  island ! "  she  said. 

Eber  Donn,  reddening,  was  silent,  and  Eremon,  af- 
ter a  few  whispered  words  with  Amergin,  replied,  "O 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      151 

Queen,  we  will  advance  peacefully  and  have  speech 
with  the  kings  of  the  Dedannans  to  decide  what  shall 
be  our  future  course." 

The  elder  king  started  to  interrupt,  but  the  queen 
continued: 

"The  kings  of  the  Dedannans  await  you  at  the  fair 
hillofTara." 

"We  shall  push  on  thither,"  replied  Eremon. 

"O  Sons  of  Mil,  grant  me  one  more  request  —  that 
my  name  may  be  continued  upon  this  island?" 

"Eriu  shall  be  its  chief  name  forever,"  responded 
Amergin. 

The  queen  then  hastened  to  Tara  to  report  her  suc- 
cessful mission,  and  there  was  great  satisfaction  among 
her  people  that  the  Milesians  had  agreed  to  consult 
with  the  Dedannan  kings.  The  men  of  Eriu  were 
drawn  up  on  the  brow  of  the  hill;  the  invaders  ad- 
vanced to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  waiting  army 
and  halted.  The  armies  raised  their  spears  in  salute 
to  each  other,  and  Eber  Donn  and  Eremon  came  to 
meet  MacCuill,  MacCecht,  and  MacGrene. 

"O  Kings  of  the  Dedannans,"  said  Eber  Donn,  "ye 
know  the  purpose  of  our  journeying  to  Eriu;  we  seek 
atonement  for  the  death  of  our  noble  chieftain  and 
uncle,  Ith.  We  demand  satisfaction  for  the  ill  deed. 
Yield  the  kingship  of  this  island,  and  we  shall  arrange 


152         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

for  you  to  continue  to  dwell  herein;  or  give  battle  at 
your  peril.  If  neither  offer  pleases  you,  make  us  a 
proposal  which  we  may  accept." 

"We  welcome  thy  words,  O  King,  and  we  shall  de- 
liberate upon  them,"  said  MacGrene. 

The  Dedannan  sovereigns  then  retired  to  the  rear 
of  their  army,  and,  after  long  consultation,  they  reap- 
peared. 

"O  Sons  of  Mil,  depart  from  Eriu  until  the  end  of 
nine  days,  for  we  cannot  make  our  decision  while  the 
threat  of  your  host  is  present,"  they  declared. 

"If  my  advice  be  carried  out,  it  is  battle  there  will 
be,"  replied  Eber  Bonn  as  he  turned  to  speak  with 
Eremon.  After  a  few  hurried  words  with  his  brother, 
he  added,  "We  will  not  grant  your  request,  O  Kings." 

"Then  we  ask  the  judgment  of  your  own  druid 
upon  this  refusal,  for  he  has  not  yet  spoken,  and  we 
know  that,  if  he  give  false  judgment,  he  will  at  once 
perish  from  the  spells  of  our  wizards." 

"Give  judgment,  O  Amergin!"  cried  Eber  Donn. 

Solemnly  the  Milesian  magician  answered,  "Let 
the  land  be  left  to  the  Dedannans  until  we  come  to 
take  it  by  force." 

"Whither  shall  we  go?"  inquired  Eber. 

"Nine  waves'  distance  from  the  shore." 

"If  it  were  my  counsel  that  were  followed,  there 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      153 

would  be  a  battle  now,"  grumbled  the  elder  king;  but 
he  dared  not  oppose  the  decision  of  his  chief  druid,  es- 
pecially since  Amergin  had  brought  his  countrymen 
safely  to  land  in  the  face  of  the  Dedannan  magic. 

Rapidly  the  invaders  marched  south,  boarded  their 
ships  again,  and  sailed  the  distance  of  nine  waves 
from  the  coast.  There  was  some  complaint  because  of 
this  maneuver,  but  the  Milesians  had  confidence  in 
their  kings  and  in  their  great  magician;  they  felt  sure 
that  in  the  end  all  would  turn  to  their  advantage. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Dedannans  were  overjoyed 
by  the  departure  of  the  enemy,  and  the  druids  cried, 
"Trust  to  our  powers  that  these  strangers  may  never 
again  reach  Eriu!" 

Using  their  utmost  art,  the  enchanters  caused  a 
great  wind  to  blow  round  the  coast  of  the  island,  until 
the  waves  of  the  sea  rose  and  buffeted  the  ships  of  the 
Milesians  from  side  to  side.  So  great  was  the  disturb- 
ance of  the  waters  that  the  gravel  and  the  grass  were 
stirred  from  the  sea-bottom,  and  dead  fish  floated  to 
the  surface.  Many  of  the  Milesians  were  terrified, 
and  the  ships  lost  sight  of  one  another.  However,  in 
the  prow  of  the  royal  vessel,  Amergin  stood  un- 
moved by  the  tempest.  He  lifted  his  wand  and  ut- 
tered his  most  potent  charms.  Eber  Donn  approached 
him. 


154         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"This  is  a  druid  wind,"  said  the  king. 

"  It  is,  indeed,  unless  it  be  higher  than  the  mast," 
answered  the  wizard  calmly.  "Find  out  whether  this 
be  so." 

Thereupon  the  king  directed  a  youth  to  climb  to 
the  masthead.  The  young  man  promptly  reported 
that  all  was  calm  in  the  air  above  the  ship,  that  he 
could  see  the  sunlight  upon  the  hills  of  Eriu 

"Shame  to  our  druids,"  said  Eber  Donn,  "if  they 
cannot  suppress  the  wind!" 

"No  shame  shall  it  be,"  cried  the  magician,  and  he 
chanted: 

I  invoke  the  land  of  Eriu! 

Much-coursed  be  her  fishful  sea; 
Fertile  be  her  fruit-strewn  mountains* 

May  her  woodlands  fruit-strewn  be. 

Let  Tara  be  a  kings'  assembly 

For  the  tribes  of  mighty  Mil. 
Eriu  be  their  bark  forever; 

Their  safe  harbor  Tara  Hill. 

Now  I  sing  the  land  of  Eriu; 

Eber  Finn  on  her  hills  shall  stand; 
Eremon  shall  share  the  kingship 

Eriu  —  I  invoke  the  land/ 

Amergin  had  scarcely  finished  the  first  stanza  of 
this  invocation  when  the  rushing  waves  began  to  sub- 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      155 

side;  by  the  time  he  reached  the  close,  the  storm  had 
vanished,  the  sun  was  shining,  and  the  mist-clad  hills 
lay  near  by. 

"Let  me  land,  and  I  will  put  to  death  with  spear 
and  sword  every  warrior  in  that  island!"  cried  Eber 
Donn,  drawing  his  sword. 

Even  as  he  spoke,  the  wind,  *vhich  had  died  to  a 
barely  perceptible  breeze,  suddenly  increased,  and  a 
huge  wave  broke  over  the  ship,  plunging  the  king 
into  the  sea,  where  he  perished. 

The  Milesians  had  respected,  though  they  could 
not  love,  Eber;  so  they  were  much  shocked  by  his  sud- 
den death.  For  some  time  his  companions  even  neg- 
lected the  guidance  of  the  ship;  then  they  realized 
that  a  new  leader  should  be  chosen  immediately  to  as- 
sist Eremon,  for  he  could  not  be  expected  to  carry 
upon  his  shoulders  the  entire  burden  of  the  expedi- 
tion. Eber  Finn  (the  Fair),  Eremon's  next  brother, 
was  speedily  chosen  and  acclaimed  by  shouting  from 
boat  to  boat. 

The  kings  now  divided  their  fleet,  Eber  Finn  to 
land  on  the  south  and  Eremon  midway  on  the  east- 
ern coast,  both  to  march  towards  each  other  in  the 
hope  that  they  might  unite  their  forces  before  being 
required  to  give  battle.  The  sovereigns  felt  that  the 
power  of  the  Dedannan  sorceries  had  now  been  com- 


156         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

pletely  overcome,  and  that  neither  army  would  have 
difficulty  in  reaching  the  shore. 

The  landing  was  carried  out  as  planned:  Eber  Finn 
brought  his  men  safely  ashore  at  their  former  landing- 
place,  Kenmare;  Eremon,  with  thirty  ships,  easily 
disembarked  with  his  soldiers  at  what  is  to-day  the 
estuary  of  the  Boyne. 

When  Amergin,  who  accompanied  Eremon,  set  his 
right  foot  upon  the  soil  of  Eriu,  he  celebrated  his 
druidic  power  in  a  chant: 

am  the  wind  blowing  over  the  set; 

am  the  racing  wave,  powerful,  free; 

am  the  murmur  of  tide  on  the  shore; 

am  the  ox  which  hath  slain  seven  more; 

am  the  vulture  that  resteth  upon 
The  rocks,  and  I  am  a  tear  of  the  sun; 
I  am  the  fairest  of  tall  growing  plants; 
In  bravery  I  am  the  wild  boar  who  rants 
With  anger;  and  I  am  a  salmon  for  grace, 
Or  lake-water,  gentle,  with  unwrinkled  face. 
I  am  the  science  of  men  and  of  gods; 
I  am  the  spear-point  which  fights  against  odds; 
I  am  the  fire  of  thought  in  the  brain. 

Who  shall  enlighten  assemblies  of  men .' 
Who  is  there  telleth  the  age  of  the  moon? 
Who  is  there  shows  where  the  sun  goes  to  rest? 

Then,  remembering  the  slaughter  of  fish  caused  by 
the  magic  storm,  the  druid  made  this  prayer  for  good 
fishing: 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      157 

May  there  be 
A  fish-filled  sea, 
A  burst  of  fish 
From  waves'  swish, 
A  sea-gale, 
White  hail, 
A  salmon  throng, 
Port  song  — 
A  burst  of  fish. 

Eremon  and  Amergin  found  their  progress  to  meet 
Eber  Finn  unhindered,  and  the  kings  were  able  to 
join  forces  as  scouts  brought  word  that  the  Dedan- 
nans  were  assembled  at  Sliab  Mish.  Hither  the  Mi- 
lesians hastened  with  all  speed,  determined  to  settle 
the  question  of  the  future  control  of  the  island. 

In  the  meantime,  the  Dedannans  had  been  greatly 
disheartened  to  find  their  druids  again  unable  to  pre- 
vent the  landing  of  the  Milesians;  but  the  magicians 
had  endeavored  to  explain  their  failure. 

"We  warned  you,  O  Dedannans,  that  Amergin 
was,  perchance,  favored  by  Fate,  which  is  above  all 
other  Powers;  therefore  we  could  not  prevail  against 
him,  though  we  might  easily  have  vanquished  lesser 
magicians.  Trust  no  longer  to  spells  and  magic,  but 
to  your  own  strength  and  to  your  weapons.  Give 
battle  to  the  enemy,  and  drive  them  hence  by  force." 

With  such  words  the  dwellers  in  Eriu  had  been  en- 


158         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

couraged,  and  the  three  kings  had  marched  their 
men  to  Sliab  Mish  as  the  place  best  adapted  for  a 
successful  battle.  MacCuill,  MacCecht,  and  Mac- 
Grene  then  determined  that,  whatever  the  issue  of 
the  forthcoming  conflict,  their  race  would  never  leave 
the  island,  but  that  they  would  ask  a  treaty  permit- 
ting them  to  remain  even  though  vanquished.  Heart- 
ening their  men  with  this  decision,  the  kings  urged 
the  Dedannans  to  fortify  their  position  as  rapidly  as 
possible  against  the  arrival  of  the  enemy.  With  their 
backs  to  Sliab  Mish,  the  entire  army  went  to  work, 
and  soon  they  were  ready  for  the  expected  attack  of 
the  Milesians,  which  was  not  long  in  coming;  indeed, 
Eremon  and  Eber  Finn  could  scarcely  restrain  their 
troops,  once  they  had  caught  sight  of  their  opponents. 

Then  occurred  one  of  the  most  desperate  battles 
ever  fought;  so  violent  was  it,  and  such  numbers  were 
killed,  that  no  detailed  account  has  remained.  The 
three  kings  of  the  Dedannans  fell,  and  with  them 
their  three  queens;  MacCecht  was  slain  by  Eremon, 
MacCuill  by  Eber  Finn,  MacGrene  by  Amergin; 
when  the  sun  had  set,  the  conquest  was  complete,  and 
it  was  arranged  that  both  armies  should  have  a  truce 
for  the  night. 

Early  the  next  morning,  the  Dedannans  sent  word 
to  the  victors,  asking  permission  to  remain  in  the 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      159 

country,  though  renouncing  the  lordship  of  the  island 
to  their  conquerors.  The  messenger  explained  the 
promise  of  the  Dedannan  druids  that,  through  magic, 
the  entire  race  would  retire  into  the  hills  or  under  the 
lakes,  where  they  would  dwell,  immortal,  and  whence 
they  would  from  time  to  time  revisit  their  beloved 
Eriu.  Unless  they  chose  to  reveal  themselves,  they 
were  to  remain  invisible  to  mortals. 

Eremon  and  Eber  Finn  readily  accepted  this  pro- 
posal of  their  late  enemies,  whose  courage  they  ad- 
mired; the  Milesian  kings  felt  that  the  Dedannans 
would  be  sufficiently  humbled  by  loss  of  sovereignty. 
Moreover,  Amergin  also  declared  that  he  would  no 
longer  oppose  the  Dedannan  sorcerers. 

"O  Messenger  of  the  Dedannans,"  he  said,  "tell 
thy  people  the  task  given  me  by  Fate  is  completed 
now  that  the  Milesians  are  conquerors  of  Eriu.  I 
shall  soon  have  no  more  the  power  granted  me  for  a 
brief  space;  from  the  time  they  enter  the  hills  the 
druids  of  the  Dedannans  shall  be  stronger  than  I." 

Swiftly  the  herald  returned  to  his  countrymen,  and 
there  was  great  rejoicing. 

"In  truth,"  they  cried,  "we  will  be  friendly  to  the 
Sons  of  Mil  forever!" 

It  was  arranged  that  the  conquered  people  should 
make  their  magic  change  upon  the  following  day,  in 


i6o        .BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

the  presence  of  the  entire  host  of  the  conquerors. 
Headed  by  their  white-robed  druids,  the  Dedannans 
marched  into  full  view  of  the  waiting  company.  The 
eldest  druid  chanted  the  history  of  his  race,  their  de- 
votion to  art  and  to  science,  their  achievements  in 
war,  the  names  of  their  kings  and  their  great  men, 
and,  finally,  the  favor  which  they  promised  ever  to 
accord  to  the  Milesians.  Then  he  raised  his  harp, 
and  the  sunlight  reflected  from  the  gold  so  dazzled 
the  Milesians  that  no  man  was  sure  thereafter  of 
what  he  saw.  It  seemed  that  the  accompanying 
druids  raised  their  harps  of  silver,  and  together  all 
played  music  of  such  sweetness  that  the  senses  of  the 
onlookers  were  dazed.  During  the  tumult  of  melody, 
the  Dedannans  appeared  to  be  dressed  in  green  and  to 
move  rapidly.  The  side  of  Sliab  Mish  opened,  and 
from  within  the  mountain  came  a  marvelous  fra- 
grance. Into  the  opening  went  a  great  company  of 
the  Dedannans,  singing  and  laughing  like  happy 
children.  In  a  miraculous  way,  the  whole  island 
became  visible  to  the  Milesians,  who  saw  bands  of 
Dedannans  disappearing  into  other  great  mountains, 
and  under  many  lakes,  the  waters  of  which  closed 
over  them.  Until  that  time  none  of  the  Milesians 
had  realized  the  full  beauty  of  the  land,  but  now 
every  man  said  to  his  neighbor, "  This  is  my  country ! " 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      161 

When  the  vision  passed,  the  new  lords  of  Eriu 
found  themselves  once  more  facing  Sliab  Mish, 
bright  in  the  sunshine  of  a  summer  morning.  The 
host  opposite  them  had  vanished,  and  the  green 
mountain  looked  as  before.  The  conquerors  gazed  at 
one  another;  they  felt  as  if  they  had  been  standing  a 
long  time  in  one  place;  a  few  even  declared  that  they 
had  been  in  one  spot  for  three  days  and  three  nights; 
but  no  man  was  hungry  or  thirsty.  Then  Eremon  ad- 
vanced before  them,  raising  his  hand  as  a  sign  that  he 
was  about  to  speak. 

"Conquerors  of  Eriu,"  he  said,  "wondrous  has 
been  our  vision.  Because  of  this  we  shall  ever  be  set 
apart  from  other  peoples,  and  our  children  and  our 
children's  children  shall  dream  beautiful  dreams. 
Never  will  the  memory  of  what  we  have  beheld  en- 
tirely fade,  nor  will  the  sound  of  the  magic  music 
quite  die  away.  When  the  Dedannan  druid  gave  the 
history  of  his  race,  we  learned  that  we  have  an  ances- 
tor in  common  with  that  great  people,  namely,  Gael, 
whom  we  have  long  reverenced  as  one  of  the  wisest 
and  bravest  of  our  early  chieftains.  Let  us,  therefore, 
in  recognition  of  the  favor  which  the  Dedannans  have 
promised  us,  and  as  a  sign  of  our  kinship  with  these 
new  immortals,  call  ourselves  henceforward  the  Gael. 
What  say  ye,  my  countrymen?" 


162         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

"We  will  be  the  Gael!"  cried  the  assemblage. 

Soon  afterwards,  they  marched  to  Tara,  where 
Eremon  was  crowned  their  High  King,  while  the 
Stone  of  Destiny  roared  beneath  the  first  Irish  sov- 
ereign of  the  Milesians.  The  stone  was  the  only  one 
of  the  four  treasures,  which  the  Dedannans  had 
brought  to  Eriu  from  the  northern  isles  of  the  world, 
that  they  left  to  their  successors;  the  irresistible 
sword,  the  powerful  spear,  and  the  Dagda's  cauldron 
they  took  with  them  into  the  hills. 

The  new  High  King  immediately  divided  the  island 
with  his  brother,  Eber  Finn,  giving  him  the  southern 
half,  from  the  estuary  of  the  river  Boyne,  and  for 
many  years  the  kings  ruled  jointly.  Their  people 
scattered  through  the  land,  and  cultivated  it,  and 
traded  with  one  another  and  with  other  nations. 
The  Gael  multiplied  and  prospered,  and  to  this  day 
many  of  the  great  families  of  Ireland  trace  their  an- 
cestry back  to  Eremon,  Eber  Finn,  and  Ir. 

In  appearance,  the  Milesians  resembled  those 
earlier  descendants  of  the  same  far-away  ancestor, 
Gael,  —  the  Fir  Bolg,  that  race  with  dark  hair,  dark 
skin,  and  dark  eyes  whom  the  Dedannans  had  found 
in  the  island  and  had  conquered.  The  people  now 
named  Gael,  or  Gaels,  frequently  saw,  during  the  years 
that  followed,  strangers  seeming  to  come  from  the 


THE  PASSING  OF  THE  DEDANNANS      163 

hills  or  the  lakes,  tall  and  stately  beings,  with  light 
hair  and  blue  eyes.  These  visitors  were  recognized  as 
belonging  to  the  Tuatha  De  Dannan,  but,  as  century 
succeeded  century,  they  came  to  be  called,  for  their 
golden  locks  and  fair  skins,  Fairies  (Dwellers  in  Fairy 
Mounds,  or  Shee).  Always  they  were  dressed  in  green, 
color  of  new  birth  and  immortality. 

After  a  time,  some  of  the  Fairies  left  Eriu,  migrat- 
ing to  enchanted  islands  which  their  druids  had 
created  far  out  in  the  western  ocean.  Here  the  De- 
dannans  lived  in  a  climate  neither  too  hot  nor  too  cold, 
where  was  spring  everlasting,  and  to  this  earthly  par- 
adise they  brought,  now  and  again,  men  and  women 
of  the  Gael.  When  these  fortunate  mortals  returned 
to  Eriu,  they  told  marvelous  tales  of  the  Land  of 
Youth,  the  Land  of  Promise,  Silver  Cloud  Land, 
which  were  some  of  the  names  of  this  isled  Fairyland. 

However,  as  the  years  went  on  and  the  world  grew 
more  and  more  interested  in  mechanical  inventions 
and  less  and  less  in  Nature,  the  Fairies  came  infre- 
quently to  Eriu;  nowadays,  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
see  a  Fairy.  When  he  does  come,  he  usually  appears 
without  the  majestic  splendor  of  the  Dedannans  of 
the  past;  he  has  become  merely  a  wee  figure  —  one 
of  the  "Little  People."  Nevertheless,  let  none  doubt 
the  existence  of  the  Dedannans  nor  their  Fairy 


164         BATTLES  AND  ENCHANTMENTS 

powers,  for  there  is  record  of  their  visits  and  their 
favors  to  the  Gael  preserved  to  this  day  in  the  an- 
cient books  of  Ireland. 

And  now,  according  to  Gaelic  custom,  let  the  Place,  Time,  Author, 
and  Cause  of  Writing  of  this  book  be  chronicled.  The  Place  is  Bos- 
ton, Massachusetts;  the  Time  is  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  twenty-one;  the  Author  is  Norreys  Jephson 
O' Conor,  Master  of  Arts,  and  the  Cause  of  Writing  is  to  persuade 
Americans  to  consider  the  spiritual,  rather  than  the  political,  history 
of  Ireland  as  interpreted  in  the  legends  of  the  Old  Irish  People. 


THE  END 


PRONOUNCING  GLOSSARY 


PRONOUNCING  GLOSSARY 

As  this  book  is  based  chiefly  upon  early  Irish  sources,  the 
pronunciation  adopted  by  scholars  of  early  Irish  is  used  in 
nearly  all  instances. 

Abhean:  Ah'-van     ' 
Amergin:  Ah-vair'-gin,  with  g 

as  in  good 
Angus  Og:  An'-gus  Og,  with  o 

as  in  oh. 

Armed:  Ar'-medh 
Balor:  Baa'-lor 
Bechulle:  Beh'-koo-leh 
Bicelmos:  Bick'-el-moss 
Blai:  Ely 

Blanaid:  Blaa'-nidh 
Brath:  a  as  in  wrath 
Bres:  Bres 
Colum    Cuallinech:     Col'-luv 

Qual'-lin-nech,  with  ch  as  in 

the  Scotch  loch 
Corpre:  Cor'-preh 
Corrib:  Cor'-riv 
Credne  Cerd:  Cred'-neh  Caird 
Cridenbel:  Cri'-dhen-bel 
Crom:  Crom,  with  o  as  in  on 
CruachanAigle:  Croo'-ah-kan 

Eye'-gleh 
Daithe:  Dye'-theh,  with  th  as 

in  thin 

Dana:  Dah'-nah 
De  Domnan:  Day  Dov'-nan, 

with  o  as  in  on 


Delbaeth:  Del'-bith,  with  i  as 

in  with 
Denna   Ulad:    Den'-nah  Oo'- 

ladh 

Derg:  Dairg 
Diancecht :  Dee'-an-kecht,  with 

ch  as  in  loch 
Domnall:  Dov'-nall,  with  o  as 

in  on 
Drucht:  Droocht,  with  ch  as 

in  loch  and  u  like  oo  in  wool 
Dulb:  Doolv,  with  u  like  oo  in 

wool 

Dun:  Doon 
Eba:  Eh'-vah 
Eber:  Eh'-ver 
Elotha:  Eh-loth'-ah 
Eremon:  Eh'-re-von 
Eri:  Eh'-ree 
Eriu:  Eh'-ree-oo,  with  u  like 

oo  in  too 

Ethaman:  Eth'-ah-van 
Ethne:  Eth'-neh 
Falias:  Fal'-ee-ass,    with    the 

first  a  as  in  mat 
Fiachach:  Fee'-ach-ach 
fidchille:  fid-kil'-le,  with  e  as 

in  then 


i68 


PRONOUNCING  GLOSSARY 


Figol:  Fi'-gol,  with  i  as  in  is 
Findgill:  Fin'-gill 
Findias:  Fin'-dee-ass 
Findrinny:  Fin'-drinny,  with.y 

as  in  quickly 
Fir  Bolg:  Fear   Bolg,   with   o 

as  in  odd 

Fodla:  with  o  as  in  odd 
Fomorians :  Foh-moh'-ree-ans 
Garah:  Gah'-rah 
Gavida:  Ga'-vidh-ah 
Glas:  Glass 
Glei:  Glay 
Gleisi:  Glay'-shee 
Gobniu:  Gob'-nee-oo 
Gorias:  Go'-ree-ass 
Indech:  In'-dech 
IT:  Ear 

Ith:  th  as  in  thin;  i  as  in  //. 
Laeg:  Laa'-egg 
Lia  Fail:  Lee7-ah  File 
Lir:  Leer 
lis:  liss 
Lough:  loch 
Luachaid:  Loo'-ach-idh,    with 

i  as  in  pith 
Luchtad:  Luch'-tadh,    with   a 

as  in  wrath 

Luchtaine:  Looch'-tay-neh 
Lugh:  Loo 

Luimnigh:  Looim'-nee 
Maccu    Belgodon:     Mac'-coo 

Bel'-go-don 

MacCecht:  eh  as  in  loch 
MacCuill:  Mac  Queetf 
MacErc:  Mac  Ertf 


MacGrene:  Mac  Grain'-eh 

M  acS  amtha  n  n  :          M  acSa  v'- 

thann,  with  th  as  in  thin 
Mag  Rein:  Mag  Rane 
Mathgen:  Math'  as  in  mathe- 

matics; g  as  in  good 
Memthenn:  Mev'-thenn,  with 

M  as  in  thin 
Miach:  Mee'-ach 
Mil:  /  as  in  /// 
Milesians:  My-lee'-sians 
Monigu:  Mor'-ree-goo 
Moytura:  Moy-too'-rah 
Murias:  Moo  -ree-ass 
Neagh:  Nay 
Nem:  Nev 
Net:  Ned 
Nuada:  Noo'-ah-tha,    with    a 

as  in  act 

ODiannan:  Oh-Dee'-an-an 
Ogma:  o  as  in  fog 
Reagh:  Ray 
Ri:  Ree 
Ruadan:  Roo'-adh-an 


Samildanach  :  Sa'-vil-da'-nach 

Sliab:  Slee'-av 

Slieve:  Slee'-vee 

Snechtai:  Shneck'-tee 

Sreng:  Shreng 

Suir:  Soo'-ir 

Talana:  Tal'-av,  with  the  first 

syllable  as  in  talent 
Tara:  Tah'-rah 
Tethra:  Teth'-rah 
Trog:  o  as  in  oh 


A     000032538     1 


